Area Total | 301,340 sq km |
Climate | predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south |
Natural Resources | coal, antimony, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land |
Imports | Germany 16.3%, France 8.8%, China 7.1%, Netherlands 5.6%, Spain 5.3%, Belgium 4.5% (2017) – engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages, tobacco |
Government | parliamentary republic |
Capital | Rome |
Population | 62.2 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Italian (small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek Italians in the south) |
Language | Italian (official), German, French, Slovene |
Exports | Germany 12.5%, France 10.3%, US 9%, Spain 5.2%, UK 5.2%, Switzerland 4.6% (2017) – engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco; minerals, nonferrous metals |
News about Italy
- What’s on in Milan: Seven of the best things to do this Aprilby The Local Italy on April 3, 2025
As Italy shakes off the winter gloom once and for all, here's what the northern city of Milan has in store for both visitors and locals this April.
- Italian Parmesan cheese producers slam US tariffs as 'absurd'by The Local Italy on April 3, 2025
Producers of Italy's famed Parmigiano Reggiano said on Thursday that punishing US tariffs imposed on their product made "no sense", noting that it wasn't in competition with American hard cheeses.
- 'Chaos is being created': Europe hits out at Trump's tariffsby The Local Italy on April 3, 2025
European leaders hit out against sweeping new US tariffs on Thursday, with the EU saying it was ready to respond with countermeasures while opening the door for last-ditch negotiations.
- Italian PM Meloni calls US tariffs on EU imports 'wrong'by The Local Italy on April 3, 2025
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday criticised new punishing US tariffs on imports from the European Union, warning that a full-blown trade war will "inevitably weaken the West".
- Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Thursdayby The Local Italy on April 3, 2025
Italy sees record emigration in 2024, Italian police told to increase security at Tesla dealerships after Rome blaze, and more news from Italy on Thursday.
- 'Devastating': How new citizenship rules blindsided descendants of Italians worldwideby The Local Italy on April 2, 2025
Descendants of Italians around the world described feeling "gutted" and "devastated" after they were stripped of the right to apply for citizenship by descent following an abrupt government decree.
- Why has Italy clamped down on citizenship by descent claims?by The Local Italy on April 2, 2025
Rules around who can apply for Italian citizenship by descent have undergone drastic changes following an abrupt government decree. But why has the Italian government dramatically restricted access to ancestry claims?
- Scottish tourist dies after Rome holiday home explosionby The Local Italy on April 1, 2025
A Scottish tourist has died from his injuries after his holiday home in central Rome collapsed following a suspected gas explosion, Italian media reported.
- Confusion surrounds ETA visa waiver process for some dual national Britsby The Local Italy on April 1, 2025
After weeks of confusion and contradictory advice over the workings of the UK's ETA visa waiver for British dual nationals, the British government has told The Local that British dual nationals do not need an ETA - even if they are not travelling on their UK passport.
- Italy's Meloni says Le Pen's election ban disenfranchises millions of votersby The Local Italy on April 1, 2025
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday condemned a five-year public office ban against France's Marine Le Pen, saying that it stripped "millions of citizens of representation".
- Six key things to consider before you sell your home in Italyby The Local Italy on April 1, 2025
If you're planning to sell your house or apartment in Italy, it's always a good idea to prepare well in advance. Here are six things you should consider if you want to make a sale.
- TELL US: Are you affected by Italy's new citizenship by descent law?by The Local Italy on March 31, 2025
Italy has drastically tightened its rules around who can apply for Italian citizenship by descent. Tell us if your plans have been affected by the change in law.
- Q&A: How Italy’s rules for claiming citizenship by descent have changedby The Local Italy on March 29, 2025
Rules for claiming Italian citizenship by descent have undergone drastic changes following an abrupt government decree on Friday. Here’s exactly what’s changed – and what to expect going forward.
- Italy tightens rules for claiming citizenship by descentby The Local Italy on March 28, 2025
Italy’s government has introduced drastically stricter rules for claiming Italian citizenship by descent in a surprise move intended to crack down on recent “abuse” of the system.
- KEY DATES: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in April 2025by The Local Italy on March 24, 2025
People travelling to, from or across Italy may face disruption in April as trade unions have announced several nationwide protests affecting air, rail and public transport services.
- What changes about life in Italy in April 2025by The Local Italy on March 20, 2025
From the return of a popular cross-border rail link and a new UK-Italy flight route to the Easter holidays and Liberation Day celebrations, here's what people living in Italy can expect next month.
- How does Italy decide if I'm a tax resident in the country?by The Local Italy on September 17, 2024
Taxation in Italy is famously complex, often creating confusion about who's liable to pay taxes in the country and who isn't. But how do Italian authorities actually decide if you’re a tax resident?
- UK rolls out ETA travel authorisation on Europeansby The Local Italy on September 12, 2024
On Wednesday, April 2nd the UK's new ETA travel authorisation system became obligatory for European travellers. Here's how it will impact residents of European countries.
- Do you need to declare a foreign bank account to the Italian taxman?by The Local Italy on May 22, 2024
As an Italian tax resident, you’ll need to file and pay taxes on both domestic and foreign income – but are you required to declare bank accounts held abroad?
- Italian word of the day: 'Peloso'by The Local Italy on November 23, 2022
Here's why being 'hairy' isn't necessarily a good thing in Italian.