Mainland Italy is such a delight that the mind-boggling fact that the nation also comprises around 450 islands often goes under our radar, with cultural titans Florence, Rome, and Venice capturing our ... Italy, [a] officially the Italian Republic, [b] is a country in Southern and Western Europe. [c] It consists of a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land border, as well as nearly 800 islands, notably Sicily and Sardinia.

Understanding the Context

MSN: Italy's Secret, Car-Free Island Escape Is An Uncrowded Idyll With Gorgeous Beaches And Trails Italy's Secret, Car-Free Island Escape Is An Uncrowded Idyll With Gorgeous Beaches And Trails EnVols on MSN: In Italy, this stunning little island on Lake Maggiore is home to one of the finest 17th-century Baroque palaces (and its garden is breathtaking) In Italy, this stunning little island on Lake Maggiore is home to one of the finest 17th-century Baroque palaces (and its garden is breathtaking) Palmarola is a beautiful, rugged island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off mainland Italy's western shores. - Paolo Graziosi/iStockphoto/Getty Images Palmarola has no town and no roads. There is no ... Geographical and historical treatment of Italy, including maps and a survey of its people, economy, and government.

Key Insights

Italy comprises some of the most varied and scenic landscapes on Earth, and its more than 3,000-year history has been marked by episodes of temporary unification and long separation.