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flag Italy History Italy

Area : 116602  sq.mi - Population : 60418711 hab.

In brief

Visa :
No
Vaccinations :
No
Currency :
Euro
Capitale :
Rome
Languages :
italian, sardinian, german, French

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History

 historyDates

About 900 BC: the Etruscans settled in the centre of the country. The city of Rome was founded a century later. It first housed a monarchy, then a Republic from the 6th Century BC.
From 400 to 200 BC: Rome dominated and imposed the Latin language.
From the 1st Century BC to the 5th Century AD: the Republic of Rome became an empire.
In the 10th Century: this empire was integrated into the Germano-Roman Holy Empire.
The 12th and 13th centuries: the rich cities reached the apex of their glory: Pisa, Genoa, Florence, Milan and Venice.
From the middle of the 16th Century: Italy fell into decline and was dominated by its Austrian and French neighbours.
1861: the period of the 'risorgimento' (the Renaissance) led to the unity of Italy under Victor-Emmanuel II.
In 1922: Mussolini came to power.
In 1946: The Republic was proclaimed.
From 1958 to 1968: the Christian-democrats were in power and led the country through a decade of 'economic miracle'.
From 1976 to 1979: the historic compromise was reached between the Christian-democrats and the communists against a background of terrorism (the Prime Minister Aldo Moro is assassinated by the Red Brigades in 1978).
In 1983: the socialist Bettino Craxi became prime minister.
In 1993: massive arrests of top-ranking mafiasos.
In June 1994: Silvio Berlusconi became head of government following the victory of the 'Freedom Poll' in the legislative elections, but this adventure ended in December of that same year.
In April 1996: a centre-left coalition, the 'Olive Tree,' won the legislatives. Romano Prodi was voted president of the Council.
In September 1997: an earthquake occurred in the Assissi region causing 12 deaths.
In October 1998: Massimo D'Alema was placed at the head of a new coalition government.
Since June 2008: Silvio Berlusconi has been prime minister.