Officially known as the Italian Republic, Italy lies in the southern most part of Europe and borders Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia and France. Sardinia and Sicily are two Mediterranean Islands considered part of the Italian Republic. Italy is home to two sovereign states--the Vatican City and San Marino, which are politically known as "enclaves" within the country of Italy.
One of the world's most economically developed countries, Italy is also a major tourist attraction among other European countries and enjoys the prosperity made possible by this type of industry. In addition to the fascinating city of Rome, Italy also attracts millions of visitors each year by providing access to such historically significant sites as the ruins of Pompeii, the Coliseum in Rome, the leaning Tower of Pisa and the Catacombs of San Callisto.