Italy Travel guide

Capital: Rome 
Government: republic 
Currency: euro € (EUR) 
Area: 301,230 km2 
Population: 59,619,290 (Jan 2008 est.) 
Language: Italian (official); minor German, French and Slovene-speaking communities 
Religion: predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community 
Electricity: 230V/50Hz (European or Italian plug) 
Calling Code: +39 
Internet TLD: .it 
Time Zone: UTC+1

  Italy is a large country in Southern Europe. It is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites - art and monuments are everywhere around the country. It is also famous worldwide for its cuisine, its fashion, luxury sports cars and motorcycles, as well as for its beautiful coasts, lakes and mountains (the Alps and Appennines). 

  Two independent mini-states lie within Italy: San Marino and Vatican City. While technically not part of the European Union, both of these states are also part of the Schengen Region and the European Monetary Union.