Rome (city in Italy)

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Capital of Italy and of Lazio region, on the River Tiber, 27 km/17 mi from the Tyrrhenian Sea; population (2001 est) 2,459,800.

Rome is an important transport hub and cultural centre. A large section of the population finds employment in government and other offices: the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church (the Vatican City State, a separate sovereign area within Rome) and other international bodies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), are here. It is also a destination for many tourists and pilgrims. Industries include engineering, printing, food processing, electronics, and the manufacture of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and clothes. The city is a centre for the film and fashion industries. Called the Eternal City, Rome is one of the world's richest cities in history and art; among the remains of the ancient city (see Rome, ancient) are the Forum, Colosseum, and Pantheon.

History
(For early history see Rome, ancient.) After the deposition of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, in 476, the papacy became the real ruler of Rome and from the 8th century was recognized as such. The Sack of Rome (1527) led to an era of rebuilding, and most of the great palaces and churches were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. As a result of the French Revolution, Rome temporarily became a republic (1798–99), and was annexed to the French Empire (1808–14) until the pope returned on Napoleon's fall. During the 1848–49 revolution a republic was established under Giuseppe Mazzini's leadership, but, in spite of Giuseppe Garibaldi's defence, was overthrown by French troops.

In 1870 Rome became the capital of Italy, the pope retiring into the Vatican until 1929 when the Vatican City was recognized as a sovereign state. The occupation of Rome by the Fascists (1922) marked the beginning of Mussolini's rule; in 1943 Rome was occupied by Germany, and in 1944 was liberated by the Allies.

The central band was widened in 1995. Red recalls the previous flag of the Kharijite Muslims. Effective date: 18 November 1995. >>