Florence (Italian: Firenze) is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, and of the province of Florence. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.

Florence lies on the Arno River and has a population of around 500,000 people. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and was long ruled by the Medici family. Florence is also famous for its magnificent art and architecture. The city has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages.

The "Historic Centre of Florence" was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1982.