Where is Rome located?

Rome is located in the central region of Italy, near the country's west coast. Nicknamed "The Eternal City," Rome is Italy's capital and largest city, with a 2014 population of 2,863,322. The Italian name for Rome is Roma.

According to legend, Rome was founded by the sons of the Roman god Mars, named Romulus and Remus, in 753 B.C. The Romans expanded throughout modern-day Europe and Africa to form the Roman Empire. The empire lasted until its eventual collapse in 476 A.D. Rome is known for its many ancient historical monuments, such as the Colosseum, Pantheon and Arch of Constantine. It is the only city in the world that has an independent country within its boundaries, the Vatican City.