Full country name: Italian Republic
Area: 301,250 sq km
Population: 57.8 million
Capital city: Rome (pop 4 million)
People: Italian
Language: standard Italian and numerous dialects
Religion: 85% Roman Catholic, 5% Jewish and Protestant
Government: democracy
Italy's instantly recognisable boot shape kicks its way into Adriatic, Ionian, Liguruan and Tyrrhenia seas.Italy's climate varies from north to south and from lowload to mountain top.
Winters are long und severe in the Alps, with snow falling as early as mid-September. The northen regions experience with chilly winters and hot summers, while condition become milder as you head south The scirocco however effects regions south of Rome, the hot and humid African winds producing at least a couple of stiflingly hot weeks in sommer.