Italian

The origin of the term "Italy," from Latin Ītalia, is uncertain. According to one of the more common explanations, the term was borrowed through Greek, from Oscan Víteliú, meaning "land of young cattle" (cf. Lat vitulus "calf", Umb vitlo "calf") and named for the god of cattle, Mars. The name was originally given to the region of Calabria by Greek settlers in the 8th century BCE, and was extended to the whole peninsula under the Roman emperor Augustus.

Two of Europe's smallest countries, San Marino and the Vatican, are enclaved within Italy. San Marino has a total area of 23.5 square miles; State of the Vatican City has a total area of .17 square miles.