città

Città is the Italian term for a city, a large, densely populated urban settlement that acts as a center of governance, commerce, culture and transportation. In urban theory, cities are characterized by a concentration of people, functions, infrastructure and institutions beyond those found in towns and rural areas. The word derives from Latin civitas, meaning city or state, via Old Italian; the modern term retains the root sense of organized civic life.

Cities emerge where geographical, economic, and political factors promote settlement growth—often near rivers, coasts, or trade routes—leading to specialized districts, centralized services, and networks to move people and goods. Urban form varies widely, from compact historic cores to modern, sprawling metropolitan regions. Typical components include governance at the municipal level, a central business district, residential neighborhoods, educational and healthcare facilities, cultural institutions, and transportation networks such as roads, rail, and ports.

The status and boundaries of what counts as a city differ by country. In Italy, for example, città can be a symbolic or historical designation granted by authorities, and is not equivalent to municipal size alone; many small towns hold the title for cultural or historic reasons. Larger urban areas often form metropolitan regions that transcend municipal borders.

Notable Italian cities include Roma, Milano, Napoli, Torino, and Firenze, each with distinct historical cores and modern roles.