Rome is the capital city and most populated comune of Italy. Located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula within the Lazio region, it sits along the shores of the Tiber Valley. The city serves as the administrative center for both the Lazio region and the Metropolitan City of Rome.
The city is characterized by its significant population and geography; it is often referred to as the "City of Seven Hills" and the "Eternal City." It is considered a cradle of Western civilization and Western Christian culture, serving as the center of the Catholic Church. Notably, Vatican City is an independent country located entirely within Rome's city boundaries, making it the only existing example of a country inside a city.
Rome is one of the most populous urban areas in Europe. The special comune of Roma Capitale has a population of 2.7 million, while the broader Metropolitan City of Rome Capital houses 4.2 million people, making it the most populous metropolitan city in Italy.