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ROME IN A NUTSHELL
Population 2,755,000
Urban aggl. 3,239,000
Area 1,287 Km²
Altitude 21 m
Urban aggl. 3,239,000
Area 1,287 Km²
Altitude 21 m
Rome is the largest city and capital of Italy from 1871, with about 2.755 million inhabitants within the municipality and nearly 3.24 million people in its urban area. Covering approximately 1,287 km², Rome stands at an average elevation of 21 m above sea level and it's also the capital of the Lazio region.
According to legend, Rome was founded in 734 BC by Romulus and Remus (though some sources suggest an earlier date). By 150 AD, under the Roman Empire, the city's population peaked at about 1.5 million inhabitants. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, population declined sharply, dropping from around 650,000 to only 40,000 by 600 AD and reaching a low around 30,000 by 1000 AD. With slow growth until 1850 (~175,000 people), Rome experienced a dramatic population boom, from the birth of the Kingdom of Italy until the 1970s, increasing more than 15-fold in just over 100 years.
Rome is a top global tourist destination, renowned for its archaeological and cultural heritage. It houses the smallest country in the world, Vatican City, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city offers an unparalleled concentration of monuments, churches, and museums.
The urban development of Rome has been strongly influenced by the Tiber River, Italy’s third longest watercourse, and by the presence of the historic Seven Hills (Aventine, Capitoline, Caelian, Esquiline, Palatine, Quirinal and Viminal). The average elevation along the Tiber is about 21 meters above sea level, though it naturally varies depending on the area, as Rome’s territory features both hilly and flat zones.
Rome enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. January and February lows average 3–5 °C, while summer highs typically reach 31–32 °C with peaks near 40 °C. Rainfall concentrates in autumn, making spring the best season to visit.
Among the countless points of interest in Rome, the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum stand out first, showcasing the city’s opulence during its peak. Notable religious architectures include St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Pantheon and the Basilica of St. John Lateran. There are also some military buildings, such as Castel Sant’Angelo, as well as more recent monuments like the Altar of the Fatherland.