Venice, in italian is called Venezia, is a city in northern Italy, and Venice is the capital of the region Veneto. The city historically was the capital of an independent nation. Venice has been known as the "La Dominante", "Serenissima", "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "City of Bridges", "City of Canals" and "The Amsterdam of the South".
The city stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po and the Piave Rivers. The population estimate of 265.000 inhabitants includes the population of the whole Comune of Venezia; around 60.000 in the historic city of Venice; 175.000 in the Mainland, mostly in the large frazione of Mestre and Marghera; and 30.000 live on other islands in the lagoon.
The Republic of Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, as well as a very important center of commerce and art in the 13th century up to the end of the 17th century.
The main sights on Venice are: Saint Mark square with St Mark's Basilica and St Mark's bell tower, Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, Santa Maria della Salute Church, Grand Canal, St Mark's Clock, Accademia Bridge, Scalzi Bridge.
The frazioni of Venice are: Chirignago, Favaro Veneto, Mestre, Marghera, Murano, Burano, Giudecca, Lido, Zelarino. The Venice Patron is saint Mark the Evangelist.