Rome - The Capital of Italy
- Population
- 2,873,494
- Language
- Italian
- Continent
- Europe
- Since
- 1871
- Eco Ranking
- 29/195
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
About Rome
Rome became the capital of unified Italy on 2 July 1871, when King Victor Emmanuel II transferred the royal court from Turin following the capture of the city from papal control in September 1870. The process of Italian unification (the Risorgimento) had produced a series of provisional capitals, Turin from 1861, then Florence from 1865, before Rome was seized and designated the permanent seat of government. The Italian parliament, the presidency, and the Council of Ministers all operate from Rome. Rome contains within it an entirely separate sovereign state: Vatican City, the 44-hectare headquarters of the Holy See, established by the Lateran Treaty of 1929 between Mussolini's government and Pope Pius XI. The Vatican maintains its own diplomatic corps, issues its own passports, and governs its own legal system, meaning Rome simultaneously hosts the capital of Italy and the world's smallest internationally recognised sovereign state. Rome hosted the Summer Olympics in 1960, the first Olympics held on Italian soil.
About Italy
Italy is a parliamentary republic established by the 1948 constitution, drafted in the aftermath of the fall of Fascism and the Second World War. The president serves a largely ceremonial role, while executive power rests with the Council of Ministers led by the prime minister. Italy is a founding member of the European Communities and a member of the G7.
View Rome on the map
Flight time from Rome to other capitals
| City | Distance (km) | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | 1100 | 1h 18m |
| London | 1400 | 1h 39m |
| Abu Dhabi | 4300 | 5h 4m |
| Washington, D.C. | 7200 | 8h 28m |
| Cape Town | 8500 | 10h 0m |
| Tokyo | 9900 | 11h 39m |
| Singapore | 10000 | 11h 46m |
| Buenos Aires | 11200 | 13h 11m |
| Canberra | 16200 | 19h 4m |
Capitals with similar population to Rome
| City | Population |
|---|---|
| Kyiv | 2,962,180 |
| Sana'a | 2,961,837 |
| Caracas | 2,935,744 |
| Guatemala City | 2,918,337 |
| Tashkent | 2,906,000 |
| Buenos Aires | 2,890,151 |
| Rome | 2,873,494 |
Capitals with similar eco ranking to Rome
Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rome become the capital of Italy?
Rome became Italy's capital on 2 July 1871, when the government was formally transferred from Florence. Italian forces had taken the city by force on 20 September 1870, a date celebrated in Italy as the day that completed national unification. Before Rome, Turin (1861-1865) and Florence (1865-1871) had served as capitals of the newly unified kingdom.
Why was Rome not the capital of Italy from 1861?
When the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed in 1861, Rome was still under papal control and protected by French troops. Turin, seat of the House of Savoy, served as the first capital. Florence became capital in 1865 as a compromise closer to Rome. The withdrawal of French troops in 1870, following the Franco-Prussian War, allowed Italian forces to capture Rome.
What is Vatican City and how does it relate to Rome?
Vatican City is an independent sovereign state of 44 hectares located within Rome, created by the Lateran Treaty of 1929. It is the headquarters of the Holy See and the residence of the Pope. Despite being surrounded entirely by Rome, Vatican City has its own government, passports, legal system, and diplomatic relations independent of Italy.
What type of government does Italy have?
Italy is a parliamentary republic with a bicameral parliament consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The president is elected by parliament for a seven-year term and holds a largely ceremonial role. The prime minister, who leads the Council of Ministers, holds executive power. Italy's post-war political history has been characterised by frequent changes of government.
Is Rome the largest city in Italy?
Yes. Rome is Italy's largest city by population, with approximately 2.87 million residents in the city proper and around 4.3 million in its metropolitan area. Milan, Italy's financial capital and second city, has approximately 1.4 million residents in the city proper. Rome's administrative and economic weight is reinforced by its position as the seat of all central government institutions.
