Naples

A city of south-central Italy on the Bay of Naples, an arm of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Founded by Greeks c. 600 B.C., Naples was conquered by the Romans in the fourth century B.C. It became an independent duchy (eighth century A.D.) and capital of the kingdom of Naples (1282-1860). It is a major seaport and a commercial, cultural, and tourist center. Population: 975,000.