42°00′N 14°00′E / 42.000°N 14.000°E
The Italian peninsula (Italian: penisola italica or penisola italiana), also known as the Italic Peninsula, Apennine Peninsula, Italian Boot, or Mainland Italy, is a peninsula, within the Italian geographical region, extending from the southern Alps in the north to the central Mediterranean Sea in the south which comprises much of the country of Italy and the enclaved microstates of San Marino and Vatican City.
Overview
It is nicknamed lo Stivale ("the Boot"), because the shape of the peninsula resembles a high-heeled boot. Three smaller peninsulas contribute to this characteristic shape, namely Calabria ("the Toe"), Salento ("the Heel") and Gargano ("the Spur"). The backbone of the Italian peninsula consists of the Apennine Mountains, from which it takes one of its names. The peninsula comprises much of Italy and also includes the enclaved microstates of San Marino and Vatican City.
Physical geography
Geographically, the minimum extent of the Italian peninsula consists of the land south of a line extending from the Magra to the Rubicon rivers, north of the Tuscan–Emilian Apennines. It excludes the Po Valley and the southern slopes of the Alps. The Italian peninsula has the only active volcano on continental Europe, Mount Vesuvius.
Political geography
In general discourse, "Italy" and the "Italian peninsula" are often used as synonymous terms. However, northern Italy may be excluded from the Italian peninsula. From a political point of view, the Italian peninsula in the strict sense (therefore excluding insular Italy and northern Italy) is divided into various states listed in the following table:
| Country | Population | Peninsular area | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km2 | sq mi | Share | |||
 Italy | 26,140,000 | 131,275 | 50,686 | 99.9531% | Virtually the entire peninsula |
 San Marino | 31,887 | 61.2 | 23.6 | 0.0466% | A central-eastern enclave of peninsular Italy |
 Vatican City | 829 | 0.49 | 0.19 | 0.0003% | An enclave of Rome, Italy |
See also
- Apennine Mountains
- Italy
- Italy (geographical region)
- San Marino
- Southern Europe
- Vatican City
References
- "The BOOT of ITALY". June 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- De Agostini Ed., L'Enciclopedia Geografica – Vol. I - Italia, 2004, p. 78.
- Touring Club Italiano, Conosci l'Italia – Vol. I: L'Italia fisica, 1957.
- "Mount Vesuvius, Italy: Map, Facts, Eruption Pictures, Pompeii".
- Vocabolario Treccani, Peninsulare
- De Agostini Ed., L'Enciclopedia Geografica - Vol. I - Italia, 2004, p.78
- Touring Club Italiano, Conosci l'Italia - Vol. I: L'Italia fisica, 1957
- Population includes only the inhabitants of the Italian peninsula, excluding northern Italy and insular Italy (Sardinia and Sicily).
External links
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Media related to Italian Peninsula at Wikimedia Commons
42 00 N 14 00 E 42 000 N 14 000 E 42 000 14 000 Satellite view of the peninsula in March 2003 The Italian peninsula Italian penisola italica or penisola italiana also known as the Italic Peninsula Apennine Peninsula Italian Boot or Mainland Italy is a peninsula within the Italian geographical region extending from the southern Alps in the north to the central Mediterranean Sea in the south which comprises much of the country of Italy and the enclaved microstates of San Marino and Vatican City OverviewIt is nicknamed lo Stivale the Boot because the shape of the peninsula resembles a high heeled boot Three smaller peninsulas contribute to this characteristic shape namely Calabria the Toe Salento the Heel and Gargano the Spur The backbone of the Italian peninsula consists of the Apennine Mountains from which it takes one of its names The peninsula comprises much of Italy and also includes the enclaved microstates of San Marino and Vatican City Physical geographyMinimum extent excluding Northern Italy of the Italian peninsula in dark green and maximum extent including Northern Italy in light green Geographically the minimum extent of the Italian peninsula consists of the land south of a line extending from the Magra to the Rubicon rivers north of the Tuscan Emilian Apennines It excludes the Po Valley and the southern slopes of the Alps The Italian peninsula has the only active volcano on continental Europe Mount Vesuvius Political geographyIn general discourse Italy and the Italian peninsula are often used as synonymous terms However northern Italy may be excluded from the Italian peninsula From a political point of view the Italian peninsula in the strict sense therefore excluding insular Italy and northern Italy is divided into various states listed in the following table Country Population Peninsular area Descriptionkm2 sq mi Share Italy 26 140 000 131 275 50 686 99 9531 Virtually the entire peninsula San Marino 31 887 61 2 23 6 0 0466 A central eastern enclave of peninsular Italy Vatican City 829 0 49 0 19 0 0003 An enclave of Rome ItalySee alsoItaly portalVatican City portalApennine Mountains Italy Italy geographical region San Marino Southern Europe Vatican CityReferences The BOOT of ITALY June 2023 Retrieved 5 October 2023 De Agostini Ed L Enciclopedia Geografica Vol I Italia 2004 p 78 Touring Club Italiano Conosci l Italia Vol I L Italia fisica 1957 Mount Vesuvius Italy Map Facts Eruption Pictures Pompeii Vocabolario Treccani Peninsulare De Agostini Ed L Enciclopedia Geografica Vol I Italia 2004 p 78 Touring Club Italiano Conosci l Italia Vol I L Italia fisica 1957 Population includes only the inhabitants of the Italian peninsula excluding northern Italy and insular Italy Sardinia and Sicily External linksMedia related to Italian Peninsula at Wikimedia Commons
