Country Guide • Italy
Italy is situated in southern Europe and is attached in the north to the European mainland. It is bound by Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas to the west, France to the north west, Switzerland and Austria to the north, Slovenia to the north east, the Adriatic Sea to the east as well as the Ionian and Mediterranean Seas to the south.
| Official Name | Italian Republic |
|---|---|
| Area | 301,225km² (116,304mile²) |
| Population | 57,900,000 |
| Continent | Europe |
| Population per mile² | 499 |
| Capital City | Rome |
| Religions | 85% Roman Catholic, 5% Jewish and Protestant |
| Language | Italian |
| Government | Republic |
| Member of EU | Yes |
| Currency | Euro |
| GDP | $1.438 trillion |
| GDP per Head | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources | Mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal |
| Land Use | Arable Land 28% |
| Agriculture | Fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish |
| Industry | Tourism, engineering, textiles, chemicals, food processing, motor vehicles, clothing and footwear |
| Tourism | Italy combines art history and contemporary fashion with stunning natural landscapes. The Costa Smeralda offer one of Europe’s most beautiful stretches of sand, sea and sunshine, while the snow-covered slopes of the Dolomite mountains are a must for winter sports enthusiasts. there are romantic Medieval hill towns you can visit vineyards or visit the islands of Sicily or Sardinia |
| Natural Hazards | Minor tremors and earthquakes are almost a daily occurrence |
| Health Risks | Rabies (only in remote areas), Leishmaniasis (in coastal regions) and Lyme Disease |
| 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 in northern and central areas. Mountain regions are colder with heavy winter snowfalls. Average temperature ranges in Rome are from 4 to 11°C in January to 20 to 30°C in July |
| Time | GMT/UTC+1 hour (+2 hours in summer) |
| National Days | June 2 |
| Visas | EU passport holders can come and go freely. Citizens of the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand are among those who may enter Italy as tourists without a visa and stay up to 90 days |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
