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Divisions and Government: Genoa

King Humbert I., b. March 14, 1844, succeeded Jan. 9, 1878; married April 22, 1868, Princess Margaret of Savoy, daughter of the late Duke of Genoa. Queen Margaret was b. Nov. 20, 1851. Heir Apparent - Victor Emmanuel, Prince of Naples, b. Nov. 11, 1869. Kings of Italy-Victor Emmanuel II., 1861; Humbert I, 1878.

The Kingdom of Italy comprises the Italian peninsula and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, and extends from lat. 36° 38' to 46° 40' N., and from Long. 6° 30' to 18° 33' E. The coast line is over 2,000 m. Corsica geographically belongs to Italy, but is under French domination. Elba is Italian. Ischia, Capri, Pantellaria, and the Lipari Islands also belong to Italy, while Malta and Gozo are held by the British. The peninsula is bounded on the N. by Switzerland and Austria, E. by the Adriatic and the Ionian seas, S. and W. by the Mediterranean, and N.-W. by France. The total area of the kingdom, including all islands, is 115,000 sq. m. The chief indentations of the peninsula are the Gulf of Genoa, the Bay of Naples, the Gulfs of Salerno, Policastro, Squillare, Taranto, Manfredonia, and Venice; in Sicily, the Gulf of Castellamare; and in Sardinia, the Gulfs of Cagliari, Palmas, Oristano, Orosei, and Terranova. The Alps form the entire N. and W. boundaries, and contain the grandest scenery in Europe. The Maritime Alps extend along the coast on the Gulf of Genoa, and the long range of the Apennines passes through the centre of the peninsula, dividing at its foot into two ridges which pass into Apulia and Calabria. Sicily is mountainous and contains one of the most famous of volcanoes, Mount Etna. The ever active Stromboli lies due N. of Messina, and historic Vesuvius raises its massive crest above the Bay of Naples. There are only two important rivers, the Po and the Adige. The former rises in the western Alps, and has a course of 400 m. through the fertile plains of Lombardy, receiving many small tributaries and entering the Adriatic near Comacchio. The Adige has its origin in the Austrian Tyrol, and empties into the Gulf of Venice. In the central part of the peninsula the famous Tiber has a course of about 160 m, from its source in the Apennines to Ostia. But the Arno, the Brenta, and many other historic streams are little more than mountain torrents, and of no service in commerce. There is an extensive system of canals, mostly used for purpose of irrigation only, and most plentiful in Piedmont. Upper Italy has many picturesque and beautiful lakes. Among these are Como, Maggiore, Lugano, Garda, and Bientina.

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