Italy is a country located on a peninsula in southern Europe, as well as the islands of Sicily and Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. It has a long history, being the birthplace of Roman civilization which helped spread western culture across Europe. Some of Italy's most famous landmarks include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum in Rome, and Venice which is composed of over 120 small islands connected by bridges. The Vatican City is also located within Rome and is the headquarters of the Catholic Church.