Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto region. It is built on a group of 126 islands separated by open water and canals, with portions linked by 472 bridges. The islands lie within the shallow Venetian Lagoon, an enclosed bay between the mouths of the Po and Piave rivers. This unique geography defines its administrative and physical identity as a maritime hub.

The name derives from the ancient Veneti people who inhabited the region by the 10th century BC. Tradition identifies the founding with the dedication of San Giacomo on Rialto in 421, though refugees fled Germanic invasions earlier. Venice served as the capital of the Republic of Venice for nearly a millennium from 810 to 1797 before becoming part of Italy in 1866. Its lagoon and city were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The historic city is divided into six sestieri: Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, and San Marco. Venice has been known as La Serenissima and the City of Canals. Notable districts include Burano, Murano, Lido, and Torcello. The Venetian Arsenal was considered the first factory in history, and the city features significant Baroque architecture and the Basilica of St. Mark.

Venice is a major cultural centre and popular tourist destination, known for its romantic charm and artistic movements during the Italian Renaissance. It is the birthplace of composers Tomaso Albinoni and Antonio Vivaldi. The city hosts the world's first international film festival, founded in 1932. It has been described by The New York Times as undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man.

As of 2025, the city proper has 249,466 inhabitants, with nearly 50,000 living in the historical island city. The metropolitan area includes Padua and Treviso with a total population of 2.6 million. Venice faces challenges like overtourism and pollution but remains a key financial and maritime centre. It is accessible via its extensive canal network and bridges connecting the islands to the mainland.