Lazio

Lazio, or Latium, is one of Italy's 20 regions, in central-western Italy. It borders Tuscany and Umbria to the north, Marche to the east, Abruzzo and Campania to the southeast and south, and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. The regional capital is Rome, which is also the national capital and the largest city. The region contains five provinces: Frosinone, Latina, Rieti, Viterbo, and the metropolitan area of Rome. The Vatican City lies within Rome as an independent city-state.

Lazio covers about 17,200 square kilometers. It features a coastal strip along the Tyrrhenian Sea and inland Apennine terrain. Notable natural features include Lake Bracciano and Lake Vico, the Tiber River and several hills. The climate varies from Mediterranean along the coast to more continental inland.

The name derives from Latium, the land of the Latins. It was the heartland of ancient Rome, the cradle of the Roman Kingdom, Republic, and Empire. In the modern era, Lazio has been a central region in Italy, housing the government in Rome and hosting numerous cultural sites.

The economy is diversified, with services centered on government, administration, education, and tourism, plus industry and agriculture such as olive oil and wine. Its cultural heritage includes Rome's monuments, museums, and art. Lazio contains UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Historic Centre of Rome and the Etruscan Archaeological Sites of Cerveteri and Tarquinia; the Villas of Tivoli are also associated with the region. The Vatican City lies within Rome and houses the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.

Transportation includes major airports Fiumicino and Ciampino, and extensive rail and road connections linking to other Italian regions and Europe.