Rome — Capital of Italy

Rome (population 2.8 million) is the capital of Italy and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world — traditionally founded in 753 BC, though archaeological evidence suggests settlement dating back to at least the 10th century BC. As the centre of the Roman Republic and then the Roman Empire, Rome shaped Western civilisation more profoundly than any other city: its law, language (Latin, the root of the Romance languages), engineering, and political concepts form the bedrock of modern European culture.

Rome is nicknamed the Eternal City — a title first used by the poet Tibullus in the 1st century BC and still apt. Within its boundaries sits Vatican City, the world's smallest sovereign state and seat of the Catholic Church. The city contains more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other in the world, including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon (still the world's best-preserved ancient building), the Trevi Fountain, and the entire historic centre. Rome has been continuously occupied for over 2,700 years.