International Living's Italy FACT FILE
Population: 58 million
Size of country: 116,305 square miles-slightly larger than Arizona
Capital city: Rome
Location: Italy is bordered by: France to the west; Switzerland and Austria to the north; and Slovenia to the east.
International airport: Both Rome and Milan are Italy's main international gateways with Fiumicino (Rome) and Malpensa (Milan) being the country's busiest airports.
Climate: When it comes to the weather, Italy really is a land of contrasts. In general, it has one of the best climates in Europe, but conditions can be quite varied. In winter, the Italian Alps are likely to be cold with crisp blue skies and enough snow to keep skiers satisfied. On the other hand, Milan is often fog-bound and the Po Valley can be quite cold and damp, too. In fact winter fog can be a problem throughout the whole of central and northern Italy. It's common for flights to get cancelled due to fog. For the best winter weather, look to the Italian Riviera, the Amalfi coast, and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. All enjoy a mild winter climate and rainfall isn't too heavy either. Obviously the farther south you go during the summertime, the hotter it will get…and the deep south can be very warm indeed. In Apulia, the heel of Italy, even the sea temperature averages 82º F in August. Currency: The euro. 1 euro = $1.33. Language: Italian is the official language; German is the language predominantly spoken in parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region; there is a small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region; and a Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area. System of government: Republic Telephone country code: 39Time zone: One hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.Electricity: Electricity in Italy is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC). For comparison, in the United States it is 110 volts, 60 cycle AC current.National holidays: New Year (Capodanno)-January 1stEpiphany (Epifania)-January 6th Good Friday (Venerdi Santo)-Variable Easter Sunday (Pasqua)-Variable Easter Monday (Lunedi Santo)-Variable Liberation Day (Liberazione)-April 25th Labor Day (Primo Maggio)-May 1st Feast of St. John (San Giovanni)-June 24th Assumption (Ferragosto)-August 15th All Saint's Day (Ognisanti)-November 1st Immaculate Conception (Immaccolata)-December 8th Christmas Eve (Vigilia di Natale)-December 24th Christmas Day (Natale)-December 25th St. Stephen's Day (Santo Stefano)-December 26th New Year's Eve (San Silvestro)- December 31st Good Friday and St. John's Day (June 24th) aren't official public holidays, but manyshops and offices close early or do not open at all. Plus, each town and village has its own patron saint whose feast day must be celebrated. The following are the feast days in the main cities: Venice: April 25th (St. Mark) Rome: June 29th (St. Peter) Turin/Genoa/Florence: June 24th (St. John) Palermo: July 11th (St. Rosalia) Naples: September 19th (St. Gennaro) Bologna: October 4th (St. Petronio) Milan: December 7th (St. Ambrose)
Religion: Predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community
Life expectancy at birth: 79.54 (in the U.S., it's 77.4 years) Business hours: The usual Italian business hours are from 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bank hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.; they are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The usual Italian business hours are from 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bank hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.; they are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.Media: Italy is now the third largest and fastest-growing Internet market in Europe: the number of home PC owners has hit 58%. The Italian government are investing 400 million euro to provide most government services online to at least 80% of the population. Nine in every ten Italians own a mobile phone. Telecom Italia Mobile, TIM, leads the national mobile market and is among Europe's largest mobile phone operators. Two giants dominate Italian broadcasting: Radiotelevisione Italia, or RAI, and Mediaset. Italy is now the third largest and fastest-growing Internet market in Europe: the number of home PC owners has hit 58%. The Italian government are investing 400 million euro to provide most government services online to at least 80% of the population. Nine in every ten Italians own a mobile phone. Telecom Italia Mobile, TIM, leads the national mobile market and is among Europe's largest mobile phone operators. Two giants dominate Italian broadcasting: Radiotelevisione Italia, or RAI, and Mediaset.Education: State education in Italy is free. To bring the country into line with the rest of the EU, the education system has been overhauled. Until recently, students could leave school once they reached the age of 14. The compulsory school-leaving age has now been raised to 16 years of age. State education in Italy is free. To bring the country into line with the rest of the EU, the education system has been overhauled. Until recently, students could leave school once they reached the age of 14. The compulsory school-leaving age has now been raised to 16 years of age.Economy: Italy's economy is the sixth largest in the world and GDP per capita is $27,010. According to the ISAE economic research institute, Italian GDP is expected to rise 1.8% in 2005 and 2% in 2006, after an estimated growth of 1.3% in 2004. Italy's strength is primarily derived from family-owned small to medium-sized companies whose presence seems most effective on the local and regional level. Major international Italian companies use the stock markets and a program has been implemented to privatize State assets. However, the majority of Italian companies are not driven by share price. Exports: $278.1 million Primary trade partners: Germany, France, U.S., Spain, and the UK
Imports: $271.1 billion Gross Domestic Product: $1.55 trillion GDP per capita: $27,010 Inflation rate: 2.7% | 
