Introduction: 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: 301,225 Sq Km (116,304 Sq Miles)
Population:57,900,000
Continent: Europe
Density per square mile: 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 & 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 degrees Celsius in January to 20 to 30 degrees Celsius 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 Details