Italy is famous for its boot-shaped peninsula and has Rome as its capital.
The Italian Peninsula extends south from the Alps into the Mediterranean Sea and is commonly nicknamed “the Boot” because its outline resembles a high-heeled boot. The peninsula forms most of Italy, while the country also includes islands such as Sicily and Sardinia. Two independent enclaves, San Marino and Vatican City, are located within the Italian geographical region.
Rome, Italy’s capital, stands on the Tiber River and has been a major centre of power and culture for more than two millennia. It was the heart of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire, and the city contains landmarks including the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum. Vatican City, the headquarters of the Catholic Church, is enclosed within Rome but is a separate sovereign state.
A common mistake is to treat the “boot” as the outline of the entire country. Italy’s shape also includes the large islands of Sicily and Sardinia, so the boot mainly describes the mainland peninsula. The Apennine Mountains run along much of that peninsula, forming its central geological spine.