Rome

Rome Roma
—  Comune  —
Roma Capitale
Views of Rome, from top left clockwise: the Colosseum, the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the Castel Sant'Angelo, an aerial view of the city's historic centre, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, the Piazza della Repubblica.
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s): The Eternal City, Caput Mundi, the City of seven hills
Rome Location of Rome in Italy
Coordinates: 41°54′N 12°30′E
Country	Italy
Region	Lazio
Province	Rome (RM)
Government
• Mayor	Gianni Alemanno ([[List of political parties in Italy|PDL]])
Area
• Total	1,285.31 km2 (496.26 sq mi)
Elevation	20 m (70 ft)
Population (September 2011)
• Total	2,777,979
• Density
Demonym	Roman
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	00100; 00121 to 00199
Dialing code	06
Patron saint	Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Saint day	29 June
Website	Official website

Via del Corso, the main street of the city

Rome (Italian Roma) is the capital city of Italy and the Italian region Latium. It is on the Tiber River and has 2.8 million people. An estimate by the OECD put the number of people of the city area of Rome at 3.47 million. The enclave Vatican City is in the north-west.

History

According to legend, Rome was started on April 21, 753 BC/BCE by Romulus. He killed his twin brother named Remus, with whom he had been raised by a wolf, and became the first king of Rome. After Romulus, who among other things created the Senate, there were, according to legend, six more kings: Numa Pompilius, Tullo Ostilio, Anco Marzio, Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, and Tarquinius Superbus. At the end of the age of monarchy, began the Republican era, during which Rome, by way of increasing expansion, faced several conflicts: in 390 BC, after struggles with neighbouring peoples, the town was invaded by Gauls and between the third and second century AD, fought against the rival Carthage, which then was captured and destroyed by the Roman army. But only with Julius Caesar in the first century BC, did the city began to grow significantly, especially toward the Campo Marzio, at the north of Capitol, and its domain was extended to Britannia. Caesar was never crowned emperor, a title which, however, fell to his adopted son Octavian who took the throne under the name of Augustus. Augustus "found a city of bricks and left it of marble" and its predecessors were no less: there was no emperor who enriched its city with new monuments, temples and triumphal arches. With the decline of the Roman Empire, the city declined in importance and fell into ruin. Pope Gregory I created major reforms for the people. The economy of the former capital was a turning point: we can say that from that moment on, the city was ruled by the pope, and soon also became the capital of a state, the Papal States, which remained active until the nineteenth century. Even popes, like the emperors, became richer over the centuries. The city of monuments and churches was called the "capital of Christendom", since here stood and still stands the Basilica di San Giovanni Lateran, the most important church of the world. The power of the Pope lessened along with its state. In fact, on 20 September 1870, Garibaldi's army, which had the task of uniting all of Italy under the crown of Savoy, entered the city through a breach opened in the walls at Porta Pia and, the same year, Rome became the capital of the newborn state.

Rome today

Rome is a major European political and cultural center, containing the HQ headquarters of FAO. It is home of the pope and was one of the most powerful cities of antiquity (the old world). It currently contains numerous museums, basilicas and palaces, such as the Colosseum.

Geography

Rome stands on predominant hills, with an area of 1285.31 kilometers ². The city is crossed by two rivers: the Tiber, which runs from east to west, and l 'Aniene, which runs from north-east to north – within the city, it flows into the Tiber. Rome was built on Sun Hill, later named Palatine. It grew and is now built on seven principal hills:

• Palatine
• Aventine
• Capitoline
• Quirinal
• Viminal
• Esquiline
• Caelian

Education

Rome is an educational place in Italy. The children in Rome have to start school from the age of six until 14. This takes them to the end of junior high school. Rome has the biggest university in Italy and it is named University of Rome. It was created in 1303. About 200,000 students go to study at this university.

Transport

Rome has an airport, which is named Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport (IATA: FCO). In Rome, there are also two underground lines (called "Underground A" and "Underground B") and many bus paths.

Important buildings in Rome

• The Vatican
• Cinecittà Studios

Ancient buildings

• Roman Forum
• Colosseum
• The Temple of Antonius and Faustina (141 AD/CE)
• The Temple of Julius Caesar (29 BC/BCE)
• The Temple of Vesta (7th century BC/BCE)
• The Temple of Castor and Pollux (484 BC/BCE)
• The Arch of Augustus (29-19 BC/BCE)
• The Forum of Caesar (54 BC/BCE)
• The Forum of Augustus (2 BC/BCE)
• The Temple of Venus and Rome (135 AD/CE)
• The Circus Maximus
• The Baths of Caracalla (212–216 AD/CE)
• Pantheon

Other pages

Ancient Rome

Other websites

• Quattrocento(French)
• some quick facts about Rome
• Apartments in Rome
• Rome Travel Guide Guide about Rome with tourist information
• WorldFlicks in Rome: Photos and interesting places on Google Maps

A panoramic view of Rome from an aeroplane