Italy (Italian: Italia), is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within the Italian peninsula, while Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland.
Italy has been the home of many influential European cultures, such as the Etruscans and the Romans and much later the Italian Renaissance, as well as a host to 3,000 years of migrations and invasions from Germanic, Celtic, Greek, Lombard, Saracen, and Norman peoples. Italy's capital Rome has historically been an important centre of Western Civilization, and the Roman Catholic Church.
Today, Italy is a democratic republic, and a developed country with the 7th-highest GDP and the 17th-highest Human Development Index rating in the world. It is a member of the G8 and a founding member of what is now the European Union (having signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957), of the Council of Europe and of the Western European Union and of the Central European Initiative. Starting from January 1, 2007, Italy is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It is considered by some a great power.
Stylish, cultured, good humoured and volatile – Italy, with its golden light, stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has inspired poets and painters for centuries. Perhaps more than any other country, it has influenced the course of European development, particularly in culture and political thought.
Travel Facts
Full Name : Italian Republic ; Capital City : Rome ; Area
: 301,230 sq km, 116,305 sq miles ; Population : 57,300,000
; Currency : Euro (€) ; Country Dialing Code : +39 ;
Electricity: 220V 50Hz ; Time Zone : GMT/UTC +1 (+2 in summer) (Central European Time); Languages :Italian (official), French, German, Slovenian, Albanian
; Religion : 84% Roman Catholic, 6% Jewish, Muslim and Protestant ; Climate : In summer the Northern parts of Italy are warm with occasional rainfall, the central region is somewhat stifled by humidity and the south scorches under the dry heat. In winter, conditions in Milan, Turin and Venice are dominated by cold, damp and fog ; Best
Time to Visit : Most people visit Italy between June and August, however the best time to visit is in Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) ; Electric Plug Details :
European plug with two circular metal pins ; International Airport
: Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport, Milan Linate International Airport (LIN), Naples International Airport
The word Italia appears on a coin dating back to the 1st century BC
which was minted by the confederation of the Italic peoples who rose
up against Rome...
A study visa will likely be required to study in Italy, for any length
of time. This type of visa allows entry for a short visit (not exceeding
90 days) or a long visit...
