Italy L'Italia

ITALY

L ITALIA

The Italian Republic has nearly 60 million inhabitants, making it the fourth largest country in the European Union. Of these people live almost 70% in the cities. The largest city in Italy is its capital Rome. In the capital live 2.7 million people (est. 2006). The next major cities are Milan with 1.3 million and Naples with about 1 million inhabitants.

Italy is located on a peninsula, whose biggest part is enclosed from the Mediterranean. This is the Apennine peninsula. Italy is reminiscent of the shape of a boot . This peninsula is passed through the Apennines mountain range from north to south. Also a part of the famous Alpine belongs to Italy in its north. Italy s highest peak is Mont Blanc de Courmayeur (4,748 m altitude). Mont Blanc de Courmayeur is a secondary summit of Mont Blanc (in Italian Monte Bianco ).

To Italy belong also a few islands. The island Sicily is at the forefront of the boot in the south of the peninsula. Italy is including the Mediterranean islands Sardinia, as well as the islands of the Aeolian Islands, the Egadi Islands, the Tremiti Islands, the Pontine Islands, and the Tuscan Archipelago.

The fact that there are volcanoes in Italy is well known. Apart from the Vesuvius on the Italian mainland, there are two major (and also other minor) volcanoes on the Italian islands. Etna is the highest and most active volcano Europe s, in the island Sicily. The Stromboli is on the Aeolian Islands.

In the 80% Catholic country, the official language is Italian. In addition, there are some regions with also German, French, Slovenian and Ladin as official languages. Neighbouring countries are France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Croatia, Bosnia and Albania are neighbouring countries over the sea. It is the Adriatic Sea. The Republic of San Marino and the Vatican City (in Rome) are both in Italy. Since the Risorgimento (italian: rebirth - completing the unification of Italy until 1870) it is a modern Italian state. In Italy, the Head of State is the State President and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister. In Italy, the 2 June is public holiday (Day of the Republic) and 25 April is a day of remembrance (liberation from fascism and the end of the Second World War).

Apart from the capital Rome is the most important and best-known cities Milan, Naples, Genoa, Turin, Venice, Bologna, Florence and Palermo. Italy, the land of the Renaissance, each year draws millions of tourists. Reasons for this are the architecture, nature, the historical areas and the Italian kitchen. Together with the Mediterranean climate, these reasons are making Italy the most popular vacation destination. Moreover, Italy is known for fashion, art, film and music. Furthermore, designer items, cars, football, research, the international film festival and others are prominent topics of Italy.