Country Profile

Italy Flag

Official Name : Italian Republic
Capital : Rome
Population : 60.4 million (2009)
Area : 301,278 sq km
Currency : Euro ($1 = 1.42US)
Religion : Christianity
Literacy : 97%
Languages : Italian (official)
Major Cities : Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo, Florence, Venice
Climate : Diverse climate

Italy Map

 A lot of Geography

Italy is located in southern Europe. To the north It borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. In the south is the Italian Peninsula with some islands like Sicily and Sardinia in the Mediterranean sea.

Italy, covers an area of 301,338 square km. It is made up 20 administrative regions including Abruzzi, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Remagna, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Toscana, Trentino-Alto Adige, Umbria, Giulia, Lazio,Valle d'Aosta, Veneto, Sicilia, Friuli-Venezia and Basilicata

The spacial location makes Italy a country with diverse landscapes, in the north are The Alpes while The Apennine Mountains form the peninsula's backbone. Italy has a coastline that borders with  three seas.

The country has 14 volcanoes, three of which are active: Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius. Several islands and hills have been created by volcanic activity. 

The climate is diverse, it dependes of the location. In north where it limits with France The Alpes makes a cold climate, however, in the Po river, the longest of the country, and his way the weather could be until 30º degrees, in south again is cold.

Population

60.4 million inhabitants live in Italy,  It is the forth largest populated country of Europe and ranks twenty third in the world chart. Some of the largest populated cities of Italy are Rome, Milan and Naples. It is a crowded country specially in Rome the capital city.

Public Transport

The people in Italy travel in It in their own cars, other people preffers the motorcycles, train and taxis; also there are underground system and airlines with national and international airports.

  

Customs

Italy is a country with a long story. Rome, actually the capital city was a big empire, It reached to govern many nations leaving their culture in each site under their mandate, the latin language was the common to the all empire.

Most people in Italy are catholic, for this reason many celebrations are related with catholic church festivals, Rome is nomined the Holy city there are The Holy See, the pope and St. Peter’s

Basilica.

Tourist atractions

Italy has many cities whit tourist atractions, In Rome is The coliseum and several religious places to visit. Venice has been known as “The floating city” one of Europe's most romantic cities. Milan is the fashion capital, etc. It’s a country whit a lot things to do and places to know.

Life cost

This is a expensive country, the oficial Italian currency is the Euro, the Italian Lira was replaced in 2002. The currency exchange currently is 1.42 US dollars to 1 Euro, you can change your dollars and pay with Euros or pay with credit cards, Visa and Master card.