| 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
- On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week
by The Local Italy on August 29, 2025From film and literary festivals to transport strikes, here’s what to expect in Italy this week.
- What taxes do you pay on property sales in Italy?
by The Local Italy on August 29, 2025Most home sales in Italy don’t incur tax at all, but if you meet certain criteria you could be facing a big bill.
- MAP: The parts of Italy hit by storms on Friday
by The Local Italy on August 29, 2025Italy issued storm warnings for many northern and central areas on Friday August 29th, with temperatures dropping as summer comes to an abrupt end.
- Italy's Meloni condemns stolen photos on porn sites as outrage grows
by The Local Italy on August 29, 2025Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday urged women to report images shared online without their consent, as the number of complaints rose and it emerged that the premier herself had been targeted.
- Electric cars and psychotherapy: the new grants available in Italy this autumn
by The Local Italy on August 29, 2025New government grants or 'bonuses' are being made available in Italy this autumn, but claimants will need to act fast.
- Rome to introduce 30km/h speed limit in city centre
by The Local Italy on August 28, 2025Rome was to impose a 30km/h speed limit in its historic centre in a bid to reduce traffic accidents, councillors said, following the success of similar schemes in other Italian cities.
- New flights and EES: The big changes for travel in Italy this autumn
by The Local Italy on August 28, 2025From new train and flight routes to the launch of an EU-wide passport checks system, here are the major changes you should know about if you're travelling in Italy this autumn.
- LISTED: New flights to and from Italy in autumn 2025
by The Local Italy on August 28, 2025New direct routes launching in the coming months will connect Italy's biggest airports with destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
- What Brits visiting Italy need to know about the GHIC health card
by The Local Italy on August 28, 2025UK residents can access free healthcare in Italy with the Global Health Insurance Card – but when and how can you use it?
- Showtime for Venice Film Festival where stars and Gaza protesters gather
by The Local Italy on August 27, 2025The Venice Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday with Hollywood royalty heading to Italy's swanky movie showcase where a strong line up of star-packed films will vie with protests over Gaza for public attention.
- Heavy traffic warnings on Italy’s roads for last August holiday weekend
by The Local Italy on August 26, 2025If you’re planning a long car journey in Italy this weekend, you'll have to be patient as it's forecast to be one of the busiest of the year for traffic.
- Can I still send parcels from Italy to the US after the suspensions?
by The Local Italy on August 26, 2025Italy's Poste Italiane is among the European companies pausing shipments to the US due to customs rule changes. So what are the options if you have a package to send?
- Everything that changes about life in Italy in September 2025
by The Local Italy on August 20, 2025From nationwide transport strikes to food festivals and a new electric car bonus, here's what to expect in Italy next month.
- KEY DATES: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in September 2025
by The Local Italy on August 18, 2025People travelling to, from or across Italy could face major delays or cancellations next month, as trade unions have announced walkouts affecting air, rail and local public transport services.
- The best ways to move to Italy after the citizenship clampdown
by The Local Italy on July 21, 2025After Italy drastically tightened rules around claiming ancestry-based citizenship, what are the alternative routes to gaining Italian residency for those affected? The Local asks the experts for their advice.
- Do I have to file my annual tax declaration if I've just moved to Italy?
by The Local Italy on July 3, 2025Living in Italy means you'll have to file an annual income tax declaration – but how soon after relocating do you have to start reporting your earnings to the Italian taxman?
- Five of the best rooftop bars to visit in Rome
by The Local Italy on August 23, 2024Everyone loves a good rooftop bar, especially in the summer heat - and Rome has a selection to suit all tastes.
- Why 'il rientro' means so much more in Italy than a new school year
by The Local Italy on September 1, 2023While it's often translated as merely the start of a new school year or the end of a holiday, this word has a deeper cultural significance.
- Italian word of the day: 'Maltempo'
by The Local Italy on May 3, 2023There's no point complaining about today's Italian word.
- Five easy day trips to make from Rome by train
by The Local Italy on November 12, 2021Looking for a brief escape from the crowds? Here are five day trips you can easily make from Rome by train.
