Conversation so far:
Who did Italy have to fight to achieve its own unification
In 1858 Cavour formed an alliance with France, against Austria, Italy's major obstacle to unification. Austria declared war against Sardinia in 1859 and was easily defeated by the French army.
What year did Italy become a united nation state
In 1861, Italy was declared a united nation-state under the Sardinian king Victor Immanuel II.

Question: For how long was the country devided before it became united
Self-contained rewrite: For how long was the country of Italy devided before it became united