Italy (Italian: Repubblica Italiana or Italia) is a country in southern Europe. It comprises the boot-shaped Italian peninsula, the Po River valley, and two large islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia, and shares its northern alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The independent countries of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within Italian territory.
For more than 3,000 years Italy witnessed many migrations and invasions from Germanic, Celtic, Frankish, Byzantine Greek, Norman, and the French Angevin, and Lombard peoples. Italy was also home to many well-known and influential civilisations, including the Etruscans, Greeks and the Romans.
Italy is called Belpaese (italian for beatiful country) by their inhabitants, due to the beauty and variety of its landscapes and for its world's largest artistic patrimony, counting the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Site (40 sites until 1 January 2006)
Nowadays Italy is a modern country with the 6th GDP in 2004, a member of G8 and a founding member of what is now the European Union signing the Treatry of Rome in 1957.
Italy has influenced the cultural and social development of the whole Mediterranean area, deeply influencing European culture as well. Important cultures and civilizations have existed there since prehistoric times. After Magna Graecia, the Etruscan civilization and especially the Roman Republic and Empire that dominated this part of the world for many centuries, Italy was central to European science and art during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Modern Italy became a nation-state belatedly — on March 17, 1861, when most of the states of the peninsula were united under king Victor Emmanuel II of the Savoy dynasty, which ruled over Sardinia and Piedmont. The architects of Italian unification were Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, the Chief Minister of Victor Emmanuel, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, a general and national hero. Rome itself remained for a decade under the Papacy, and became part of the Kingdom of Italy only on September 20, 1870. The Vatican is now an independent enclave surrounded by Rome.
Italy consists predominantly of a large peninsula (the Italian peninsula) with a distinctive boot shape that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, where together with its two main islands Sicily and Sardinia it creates distinct bodies of water, such as the Adriatic Sea to the north-east, the Ionian Sea to the south-east, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the south-west and finally the Ligurian Sea to the north-west.
The Apennine mountains form the backbone of this peninsula, leading north-west to where they join the Alps, the mountain range that then forms an arc enclosing Italy from the north. Here is also found a large alluvial plain, the Po-Venetian plain, drained by the Po River and its many tributaries flowing down from the Alps, Apennines and Dolomites.
Italian culture is as varied and diverse as the Italian people. The culture of Italy can be found in the Roman ruins remaining in much of the country, the laws and philosophy of the Roman Catholic Church, the architecture, and on the terraces of the many football clubs. It can also be tasted in Italy's magnificent food.
Italian sports are similar to those played in other European countries. Popular sports include football (soccer), rugby, basketball, skiing, archery, race car driving, and skating. Baseball has a small following as well, primarily centreed around Nettuno, Anzio and other coastal areas that were occupied by American troops in World War II. Italy has successfully participated in the Olympics since the second summer Olympics in 1900 and since the 1948 Winter Olympics. Italy sponsors a national rugby union team. The Italian Football Federation organizes all professional soccer events in Italy. The famous Italian Grand Prix is held at Monza. The beginnings of chess theory developed in Italy in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Italy currently has one national language, Italian. Several other languages are also spoken throughout the country. Over the centuries many regional languages have developed that some consider dialects of modern Italian. Examples include Milanese, spoken near the city of Milan, Neapolitan, spoken near Naples, Sicilian, spoken on Sicily, etc.
Islam was almost entirely absent in Italy from the time of that country's unification in 1861 until the 1970s, when the first trickle of North African immigrants began arriving. These North Africans, mostly of Berber or Arab origin, came mainly from heavily Islamic Morocco, though they have been followed in more recent years by Tunisians, Albanians and to a lesser extent, Libyans, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Middle Eastern Arabs and Kurds. Some estimate the number of Italian converts to be around 10,000.
Things you should know when travelling to Italy
The Italian government has warned of an increased threat of a terrorist incident in Italy. Recent security incidents in Europe demonstrate that attacks can occur without warning and against civilian targets. Security measures remain at a heightened level on public transport, on cruise ships, and in and around major tourist attractions, including the Vatican.
Most Canadian visitors to Italy do not experience problems. However, episodes of violence may occur, sometimes involving bomb attacks by organized criminal or extremist groups. The incidence of street crime is similar to that elsewhere in Europe, particularly in large urban centres. Pickpocketing and purse snatching occur at tourist sites, on public transportation, Internet cafés, and at major airports and railway stations. Motorcyclists frequently grab bags and other personal belongings from pedestrians, often resulting in injury. Car theft occurs at gas stations and on highways. Thieves often work in pairs or groups. One or more will distract the victim while another steals. Ensure your vehicle remains in sight when stopping at service areas. There are also reports of individuals staging roadside emergencies (e.g., a smoking engine or flat tire) to persuade drivers to pull over. Thieves then remove personal belongings from the distracted driver's car. Do not leave personal belongings unattended, especially in vehicles. Exercise normal precautions and ensure valuables are secure. In an emergency, call 113 for the police, 112 for the Carabinieri (military police).
Travellers should exercise caution and be alert to scams targeting foreigners occur at gas stations, on highways, and on trains. Rail passengers have been offered drugged food or drink and been robbed while sleeping. Ensure your compartment door is securely locked.
Strikes and demonstrations occur frequently. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Strikes may occasionally interfere with services, such as mail, telephone, and public transport.
