| Area |
301,323 sq km (116,341 sq miles). |
| Population |
57,587,985 (1998). |
| Capital |
Rome - population 2,645,322 (1996). |
| Climate |
Summer is hot especially in the south. Spring and autumn are mild with fine, sunny weather. Winter in the south is much drier and warmer than northern and central areas. Mountain regions are colder with heavy winter snowfalls. |
| Language |
Italian is the official language. Dialects are spoken in different regions. German and Latin are spoken in the South Tyrol region (bordering Austria).French is spoken in all the border areas from the Rivera to the area north of Milan (border with France and Switzerland). German is spoken around the Austria border. English, German and French are spoken in the biggest cities and in tourism and business circles. |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic with Protestant minorities. |
| Time |
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in September).
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| Highlights |
This is a country that has attracted many for thousands of years and continues to do so today. Italy is a country with an affluent and intriguing history, which has certainly left its mark in the form of architectural beauty, captivating art, amazing cuisine, beautiful music to mention a few. This can be experienced all over Italy:
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| Country Facts |
Italy is situated in southern Europe and divided into four sections: Northern Italy, Central Italy, Southern Italy and The Islands. It is attached to European mainland to the north where the Alps separates the country from France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Climate wise, Italy enjoys hot summers, especially in the south. During spring and autumn, the weather is mild and sunny. During the winter months, the south tends to be drier and warmer than in the northern and central areas. |