![]() ![]() The empire flourished for more than 400 years, but by the fourth century AD it was in decline. The first sole emperor of Rome, Octavian, took power in 27 BC and took the name Augustus Caesar. ![]() They then set out to build a vast empire which, at its greatest extent in AD 117, stretched from Portugal to Syria to Britain to North Africa. But the Romans kicked out the Etruscans in 510 BC and went on to conquer the whole peninsula. Meanwhile, Latin and Sabine people south of Etruria merged to form a strong city-state called Rome.Įtruscan kings ruled Rome for nearly a hundred years. Italy is home to lots of amazing ancient ruins!īy the sixth century BC, the Etruscans had created a group of states called Etruria. Around 800 BC, Greeks settled in the south and a civilisation called the Etruscans arose in central Italy. Italy’s first societies emerged around 1200 BC. Love Italian history? Then check out our 10 facts about the Ancient Romans, here! With the city of Rome’s rise to power, the Italian peninsula became the centre of a huge empire that lasted for centuries. Italy’s location on the Mediterranean linked it with the trade routes of the ancient civilisations that developed in the region. Throughout Italy, millions of beautiful birds stop to rest during their annual migration to Africa. To help protect them, National Parks have been set up, such as Abruzzo National Park – the only place in the world where the critically endangered Marsican brown bear can be found. The lower slopes of Italy’s Alps remain covered with thick forests, and above these woodlands are meadows where specially adapted wildflowers bloom.Īmongst the amazing mammals found in Italy are the Eurasian lynx, Italian wolf, Roe deer and Etruscan shrew – the smallest land mammal in the world! Sadly, however, human activity and habitat loss has put much of Italy’s awesome animals under threat. But the country’s remote places still have wilderness largely untouched by humans. As a result, forests that once covered large areas of the country are gone. In the south are hot, dry coastlands and fertile plains where olives, almonds, figs and other crops are grown.įor 22 centuries, Italians and their ancestors have hunted wild animals, cleared fields and grazed livestock. West of the Apennines are wooded hills that are home to many of Italy’s historic cities, including Rome. From the western end of the Alps, the Apennines mountains stretch south down the entire peninsula. The Alps cut across the top of the country and are streaked with long, thin glacial lakes. The sea surrounds Italy, and mountains crisscross the interior, dividing the land into regions. Its location has played an important role throughout its history. Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula that juts out of southern Europe into the Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea and other waters. Major Rivers: Po, Adige, Arno, Tiber Italian flag Italian flag When you think of Italy, what springs to mind? The Leaning Tower of Pisa? Yummy pizza and pasta, perhaps? Well, there’s a lot more to this incredible country, gang – see for yourselves with our fascinating facts about Italy… ![]()
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