Lazio (Latium), Italy

Interactive Map of Lazio (Latium), Italy

Lazio (Latium), Italy Map Links:

The region of Lazio in central Italy, which was previously called Latium, is the second-largest of the 20 regions in Italy. Lazio covers a total of 6,657 square miles, including Rome, the capital city of Italy.

List of Cities as Seen on a Map of Lazio (Latum), Italy:

Rome
Tivoli
Viterbo
Rieti
Gaeta
Flumicino

Quick Facts:

Population = 5.9 million

Language = Latin, Indo-European (Italic, Greek, Germanic)

Ethnicities = Italian, Roman, Greek
Capital = Rome

The History of Lazio (Latium)

Before Lazio was the name used for this Central Italy region, it was called Latium. The Latin word for “wide” is latus, which is how Latium got its name, as the land is considered a “great, flat land.” This land provided an abundance of agriculture to provide the settlers with a reliable way-of-life. The crops that were produced in the region were grapes, figs, olives, apples, and grains.

The control of Latium changed hands many times throughout the first millennium. Latium was controlled by the Roman Empire until its fall in 476. Then, Latium was controlled by the Ostrogothic Kingdom, a kingdom of Germanic people. Shortly thereafter, the Gothic War took place, and possession of the territory was fought between the Germanic tribe and the Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire. The region officially became part of the Eastern Roman Empire, and in 728, the Bishop of Rome obtained the first territory in the region.

Tension around religion was at its peak during this time. The struggle between secular leaders and the Pope continued for centuries. This eventually led to the formation of the Papal States. The Papal States were selected territories throughout Italy that were fully controlled by the Pope.

Italian Unification began in 1860 where the many kingdoms throughout Italy were combined into one: the Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, Rome was finally captured, which was the last territory of the Papal States to be acquired during the Italian Unification.

Religion

The primary religion in the area is Roman Catholicism. Lazio contains Rome, which is where Vatican City is located, and Vatican City is where the Pope lives. Roman Catholicism is the largest religion practiced throughout the world at 1.3 billion members.

Geography

Lazio is a coastal territory in eastern-central Italy. It is the second-largest region in Italy, covering a total area of 6,657 square miles.

Geography is a major factor in the successful economy of the Lazio region. The geography of the region allows a combination of both industrial manufacturing and agricultural goods to be produced and sold, not to mention the increased amount of tourism that has taken place throughout recent decades.

This region of Italy has remained one of the most sought-after places to live within the country because of its abundance of opportunities.

Culture

The region of Lazio was influenced by the Ancient Romans. Because the Pope resides in Vatican City, a territory within Lazio, Roman Catholicism plays a major role in the culture of the region. Those who are from Lazio likely practice Roman Catholicism share a connection to the Roman culture.

Migration Patterns

During the period of Italian Unification, approximately 12 to 13 million Italians emigrated from the country to find work elsewhere. Some emigrants relocated to the United States, while others found work in neighboring countries. Only a fraction of the millions of Italians who left repatriated.

Because Rome is a large city with a thriving economy, as well as the capital city of Italy, it has a staggering population of just under 6 million people. This is 10% of the total population of Italy. Because the Lazio region is large, metropolitan, and economical, the migration patterns from Italy have shifted with fewer emigrants leaving Italy to find work.

Genealogy

The genealogy of people who have connections to the Lazio or Latium region will likely include Italians, Greeks, and Romans. Additionally, because of the Germanic tribes that inhabited the area for certain periods of time, there may also be German attributes connected to a person’s Lazio or Latium genealogy. Because German traits consist of blonde hair, fair skin, and lightly-colored eyes, it is not impossible for a person with Lazio or Latium genealogy to possess these traits.

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About the author

Caleb Pike is an avid hiker and nature lover, with a passion for exploring the great outdoors. He's a writer, photographer, and adventurer, always seeking new trails to blaze and peaks to conquer.

Interactive Map of Lazio (Latium), Italy