Europe contains Italy.
Italy . Due to cultural , political and historical reasons , Italy is a Western European country . These independent statelets , acting as Europe 's main trading hubs with Asia and the Near East , often enjoyed a greater degree of democracy and wealth in comparison to the larger feudal monarchies that were consolidating throughout Europe at the time , though much of central Italy remained under the control of the theocratic Papal States , while Southern Italy remained largely feudal until the 19th century , partially as a result of a succession of Byzantine , Arab , Norman , Spanish and Bourbon conquests of the region . The Renaissance began in Italy and spread to the rest of Europe , bringing a renewed interest in humanism , science , exploration and art .