Italy has had a long and interesting economic history. In the early part of its history, Italy had a mostly agricultural economy, which meant that most of the people lived off what they grew themselves. Over time, Italy became involved in the global trade system, so that people could get goods from other places and make money by selling them to others. As Italy grew and changed, so too did its economy. People began to create businesses and industries, like clothes, furniture, and tools. As these businesses grew, more people were able to find jobs and put their money into the economy. Then Italy got involved in the industrial revolution, which made lots of new inventions and products, like trains and cars. This made more money and helped build Italy's economy even more. Today, Italy is a developed country with a strong economy thanks to its history of trade, industry, and innovation.