Rome: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026

News •

Bomb threats hit schools in Italy and France as Macron says too soon to blame foreign powers • Nov. 12, 2026, 7:15 AM ET (Euronews)

Schools in Italy, Scotland and Northern Ireland hit by threats in suspected bomb hoax • Nov. 11, 2026, 1:38 PM ET (BBC)

Nick Gaynor first ‘hit it off’ with the future pope in 2023. The Villanovans recently reunited in Rome. • Nov. 10, 2026, 5:01 AM ET (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

More than a dozen flights in Europe receive bomb threats that an official calls 'malicious' hoaxes • Nov. 5, 2026, 4:56 PM ET (AP)

Villanova had the the pope's support. Notre Dame swept the games in college hoops openers in Rome • Nov. 1, 2026, 3:10 PM ET (AP)

Did You Know?

In 133 BCE, Rome became the first city in the world to reach a population of one million people.
Rome has not always been the capital of Italy; prior to the unification of Italy in 1870, the capital city was Florence.
Togas are seen as a popular garment worn by the ancient Romans, but their use was restricted to male citizens who had not been born into slavery.
Rome is the only city in the world that surrounds an entire country: Vatican City is an independent nation-state under papal authority that is located within the city of Rome.

Photos and Videos

Map of southern Europe highlighting Italy and marking the location of Rome with a star symbol. Surrounding countries and bodies of water, such as France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and the Mediterranean Sea, are also labeled for geographical context.

Rome: Colosseum

Benito Mussolini in military uniform stands on a balcony, addressing a large crowd gathered below.

Antique map of Rome and its surroundings from around 1900, showing the city center, the winding Tiber River, major roads, and nearby towns and landmarks, with dense street patterns in central Rome and sparser rural areas beyond.

Rome; Vatican City

Detailed map of central Rome showing major roads, parks, neighborhoods, and landmarks, with green areas representing parks and gardens. Key sites such as the Colosseum, Vatican City, and the Roman Forum are labeled, along with the locations of the Seven Hills of Rome. An inset map at the bottom right shows Rome's location within the surrounding region of Italy.

Caravaggio: The Conversion of St. Paul (second version)

Rome: Barcaccia

The Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy, rise behind the Fontana della Barcaccia fountain, with the Trinita dei Monti church at the top and surrounding historic buildings.

Exploring the ancient Roman Appian Way

How an underground labyrinth threatens Rome's monuments

Learn about the magnificent infrastructural work of imperial Rome, especially Roman masonry

The dramatic birth of the Roman Empire

Know about the history of the ancient buildings of the Roman Forum, Rome

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Venice Milan Florence Naples Genoa Latina Bologna Verona Trieste Palermo

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Catedral at night on Plaza de Armas (also known as plaza mayor) Lima, Peru.

World Capitals Quiz

Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort; photo dated 2015. (state capitols)

50 Capital Cities at Random Quiz

Top of Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

European Capitals Quiz

Tower Bridge over the Thames River in London, England. Opened in 1894. Remains an Important Traffic Route with 40,000 Crossings Every Day.

Guess the City by Its River Quiz

A woman with a brightly-colored feather headdress and costume, during a Carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro. Rio Carnival. Brazil Carnival.

World Cities

Taj Mahal, Agra, India. UNESCO World Heritage Site (minarets; Muslim, architecture; Islamic architecture; marble; mausoleum)

Wonders of the World Quiz