Italy
Italy is a developed country with a rich history that remains on the forefront of culture. From the Eternal City, Rome, to the canals of Venice, to the shopping malls of Milan, to the art of the grandmasters in Florence, Italy is a center of Western culture. From fashion design, to art, to wine, Italy has a unique, romantic, and sophisticated quality. Italy’s social norms, cuisine, and lifestyle are highly influential with the western world. Italy also surrounds the sovereign principalities of San Marino and Vatican City, the ancient and powerful center of international Roman Catholicism.
Italy has experienced some trouble in modern times since its defeat and destruction in WWII. It faces difficult problems of organized crime, which constitutes a great portion of its economy. There are accusations of social and political regionalism as the southern part of the country remains comparatively poor and rural.
In part thanks to its boot shape, which juts strategically into the Mediterranean, Italy was once the center of the Mediterranean world. The Roman Empire in the third century stretched from Egypt to England, Mauritania to Mesopotamia, and ruled such a domain for centuries. During the Renaissance, city-states like Florence and Venice were the center of Mediterranean trade, science, culture, and art. Even today, Italy retains its cultural heritage and a superabundance of precious paintings, sculptures, and architecture that attract admirers from around the world. Italy is currently home to 41 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than any other country. Today, Italy is a democratic republic and a member of the European Union.
Climate
Italy has a mild Mediterranean climate. The inland region of the north which includes Milan and Bologna has a comparatively hot and humid, continental climate.
Health and Safety
Religion and Festivals
Rome was historically the Pope’s seat of power, and the predominant religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism, centered at the Vatican City. However, many other Christian denominations have large numbers of followers. Muslims, largely immigrants, also comprise about 1% of the population.
Transportation
Italy is a prime destination for visitors traveling by plane. Trains also connect Italy to the rest of the EU, and as in the past, Italy is connected to many of the Mediterranean countries by sea. Trains are a relatively inexpensive means of transport from city to city. Buses reach both cities and smaller towns. Travel by private car or taxi is common.
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