COUNTRY PROFILE   

Country

ITALY

The peninsula's shape gives it the nickname Lo Stivale (The Boot). Three smaller peninsulas contribute to this characteristic shape, namely Calabria (the "toe"), Salento (the "heel") and Gargano (the "spur").

Flag and national emblem

The Tricolore (green, white and red)

Nationality

Italian

Capital

Rome

Largest Cities

Florence,Milan, Naples,Turin,Venice

Population

60.795.612

Total Area

301 340 km²

Border countries

France, Swizerland, Austria,Slovenia, the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west, the Ionian Sea on the south, and the Adriatic Sea on the east (the Mediterranean Sea)

Administrative divisions

20 regions 

All of the peninsula is part of the state of Italy except for the microstates of San Marino and Vatican City.

Religions

Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other

Government Type

Replublic .

Italy has a parliamentary government based on a proportional voting system. The parliament is bicameral: the two houses, the Chamber of Deputies (that meets in Palazzo Montecitorio) and the Senate of the Republic (that meets in Palazzo Madama), have the same powers. The Prime Minister, officially President of the Council of Ministers (Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri), is Italy's head of government. The Prime Minister and the cabinet are appointed by the President of the Republic

Currency

Euro

Natural Resources

The most important mineral resources are natural gas, petroleum, lignite, sulfur, and pyrites. Other mineral deposits include lead, manganese, zinc, mercury, and bauxite.. Italy is rich in various types of building stone, notably marble.

Climate

Mediterranean climate, though in the mountainous parts the climate is much cooler, and its natural vegetation includes macchia along the coasts and deciduous and mixed deciduous coniferous forests in the interior.

International Dial Code

+ 0039