Italy

The Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed on 17 March 1861, unifying most of the Italian peninsula under the Savoy monarchy for the first time in modern history. Rome and the Papal States were finally incorporated in 1870 after French troops withdrew, and Rome became the capital. The new state faced profound challenges: a vast gap between the industrialised north and the impoverished south, persistent brigandage, illiteracy, and lack of a common spoken language. The 1861 census found fewer than 3% of Italians regularly spoke standard Italian. Despite these difficulties, Italy industrialised substantially in the late 19th century and became a significant — if often junior — participant in European great-power politics.

• Existed: 1861 CE – present
• Type: Entity
• Government: Constitutional Monarchy
• Capital: Rome