Central Italy

Central Italy, also called Italia centrale or Centro Italia, is one of the five main statistical regions of Italy. It is used by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) to help organize and understand data about the country. This area is also a voting area for the European Parliament.

As of 2026, Central Italy is home to about 11,699,125 people. It is an important part of Italy, with many cities, towns, and natural beauty that make it special. The region has a rich history and culture, and it plays a big role in the country's economy and way of life.

Geography

Central Italy is crossed by the northern and central Apennines and is surrounded by the Adriatic Sea on the east and the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ligurian Sea on the west. Important rivers in this area include the Arno and the Tiber, along with their smaller rivers like the Aniene, and the Liri-Garigliano. Notable lakes found here are Lake Trasimeno, Lake Montedoglio, Lake Bolsena, Lake Bracciano, Lake Vico, Lake Albano, and Lake Nemi. Most of the land in central Italy is hilly, making up about 69% of the area, with mountains covering around 27% and flat areas just 4%.

Central Italy includes four main regions: Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, and Lazio, listed from north to south. Some parts of Tuscany and Marche speak dialects similar to those in Northern Italy. Meanwhile, certain areas in the south of Lazio are culturally linked to southern Italy, having been part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies before joining Lazio in 1927. Although Abruzzo and Molise are often considered part of southern Italy, they can sometimes be included in discussions about central Italy depending on the context.

History

For many years before Italy became one country in 1861, central Italy was split into two parts: the Papal States and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The Papal States were lands in Italy ruled directly by the pope from the year 756 until 1870. They grew during the Renaissance and at one time included areas such as Lazio, Marche, Umbria, Romagna, and parts of Emilia. In 1870, the pope lost all his lands except a small area in Rome. Later, in 1929, an agreement created the small country of the Vatican City.

The Grand Duchy of Tuscany was a kingdom from 1569 to 1860, with Florence as its capital. It was ruled by the Medici family until 1737. Later, other rulers took over. After Napoleon’s time, it was restored, then joined the rest of Italy in 1860.

Demographics

As of 2026, Central Italy is home to 11,699,125 people. About half are male, and the other half are female. Many people there are young, but a good number are also older.

Central Italy is mainly where people speak the Tuscan dialect and Central Italian. Other languages are also spoken in some areas, like in parts of Tuscany, Marche, and Lazio. The Tuscan dialect helped shape the Standard Italian language because of famous writers from the past.

Politics

The regions of Marche, Tuscany, and Umbria in central Italy, along with Emilia-Romagna, are known for their left-leaning views. They are sometimes called the "Red Zone" or "Red Belt." These areas have strong historical ties to certain political ideas, similar to some parts of other countries.

In recent years, these regions have faced challenges from different political groups. While some areas shifted towards other political views, Tuscany has stayed strongly left-leaning for over 150 years.

Economy

The economy of Central Italy was quite strong in 2018. The total value of all goods and services made in the region, called the gross domestic product (GDP), was €380.9 billion. This made up about 21.6% of all that Italy produced.

When looking at how much money each person in the region made, after considering the cost of things they buy, it was €31,500. This is a bit more than the average for all of Europe at that time.

Culture

The regions of central Italy have been shaped by many different groups of people, including the Celts, the Etruscans, the North Picenes, the South Picene, the Umbri, the Latins, the Romans, the Byzantines, and the Lombards. Some of its forests and mountains are protected in national parks, such as the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, which is the oldest park in the Apennine Mountains.

Central Italy is full of famous places that many people visit. Rome has amazing old buildings from the Roman Empire, like the Colosseum. Florence in Tuscany is famous as the start of the Italian Renaissance, and nearby cities such as Siena, Pisa, Arezzo, and Lucca also have lots of history. Umbria has important cities like Perugia and Assisi. Because of its beautiful scenery and rich history, central Italy is a top destination for tourists.

Roman cuisine uses fresh and simple ingredients from the Roman Campagna. Popular foods include peas, globe artichokes, fava beans, shellfish, milk-fed lamb, and goat, along with cheeses like pecorino romano and ricotta. Olive oil is often used to dress vegetables, and strutto (pork lard) and fat from prosciutto are used for frying. Rome is known for its small pastries called pasticcini, gelato, and handmade chocolates. Special foods are eaten on certain days, like gnocchi on Thursdays and baccalà (salted cod) on Fridays.