This region includes the countries of the Italian peninsula, as well as the Mediterranean island of Malta. Th Italian Peninsula or Apennine Peninsula (Penisola italiana or Penisola appenninica) is one of the three Peninsulas of Southern Europe Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Neighbouring countries to Italy, such as Switzerland, are often considered part of this region because they are influenced by Italian culture. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Also Italy is on the continent of Europe.