Latium

Latium, referred to in modern Italian as Lazio, is a central administrative region of Italy and the historical cradle of the Latin Language. Bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Apennine Mountains to the east, the region is characterized by its volcanic lakes, such as Lake Bolsena and Lake Bracciano, and the fertile plains surrounding the Tiber River.

The history of Latium is inextricably linked to the rise of Rome. Originally inhabited by the Latins, the area became the heart of the Roman Republic and subsequently the Roman Empire. Following the fall of the empire, the region fell under the secular authority of the Papacy, forming the core of the Papal States for over a millennium. Detailed historical accounts of this transition can be found via the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Modern Latium is a vital economic and cultural hub. It hosts Vatican City, an independent city-state and the center of the Catholic Church. The region is also famous for its archaeological heritage, including the ruins of Ostia Antica and the villas of Tivoli. Agriculture remains significant in the southern provinces, while the metropolitan area of Rome dominates the service and administrative sectors. Further geographical data is available through ISTAT.

• ETRUSCANS
• CAMPANIA
• UMBRIA
• ANCIENT-ROME