From a historical perspective, you’d be hard pressed to find a country that’s made a larger impact on our world than Italy and its ancient Roman Empire. At its height, the Roman Empire covered roughly 1.9 million square miles and its inhabitants included 20% of the world population at the time. From its military prowess to government structure, cuisine to its impact on the arts — Italy’s mark on today’s society is evident in many places all over the world.

In the following sections, we’ll discuss some of that history and culture while highlighting the beauties and passions that make modern Italy such a compelling place.