Italy is located in Southern Europe and is a member of the European Union.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm It is often remembered as the boot shaped country. It is a very culturally, politically, and economically diverse country although the language and and religion is very homogeneous. It has the 5th highest population density in Europe with about 200 persons per square kilometer.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion (about 85% or native born Italians), but all religions are granted freedom and treated equally under the law.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm It is a popular tourist destination, especially the cities of Milan, Pisa, Florence, Venice and the capital city, Rome.

The cuisine of Italy varies throughout it's many regions. Popular ingredients used in Italian cooking include oilve oil, basil, pasta, tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic and maize. According to a 2006 survey, Italy was ranked second in the world for wine production.

Italy has been a democratic republic since 1942 when the monarchy was abolished by popular vote.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm The constitution has been in effect since 1948.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm The government of Italy is centralized with prefect of Providences answering to the central government. In recent years there has been establishment of some regional government which has caused some decentralization.

The Italian government maintains an embassy in the United States at 3000 Whitehaven Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-612-4400).http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

The economy of Italy has changed dramatically since World War II. Where once it was an agricultural based economy is it now a net food importer and industrial state.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm It has no reserves of coal, oil, or iron though it does have natural gas reserves in the Po Valley and offshore in the Adriatic Sea which is it's most important mineral resource.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

Italy's main strength is in the processing and the manufacturing of goods, primarily in small and medium-sized family-owned firms. It's major industries are precision machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electric goods, and fashion and clothing.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

Italy grapples with budget deficits and high public debt--2.6% and 105.9% of GDP for 2008.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm The Italian economy is also affected by a large underground economy--worth some 27% of Italy's GDP. The underground economy avoids taxation and thus remains a source of lost revenue to the local and central government.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

• Galileo
• Raffaello
• Caravaggio
• Michelangelo
• Donatello
• Botticelli
• Leonardo da Vinci
• Giacomo Puccini
• Enrico Caruso

• Mahalo's Vacation Guides to:
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• Mahalo's Restaurant Guides to:
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• Mahalo's Tour Guides to:
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• Mahalo's Hotel Guides to:
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• Official Site: Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche | in Italian

• Mahalo's Guide to the Italian Language

• Hostetler.net: Italian Holidays, Festivals, and Street Parties

• Kwintessential: Italy

• RAI International Italica: The Italian Culture in English | in Italian