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
- One dead as flash floods hit northern Italian townby The Local Italy on July 1, 2025
A 70-year-old man died in the northern Italian town of Bardonecchia on Monday after flash floods struck the area following hours of torrential rain.
- France-Italy train travel suspended for 'at least several days' after stormsby The Local Italy on July 1, 2025
Train travel between France and Italy is suspended for "at least several days" after violent storms earlier in the week, French national operator SNCF said on Tuesday.
- Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesdayby The Local Italy on July 1, 2025
Italy puts 17 cities under red heat warning, one dead after migrant boat sinks off Italian coast, and more news on Tuesday.
- When can you start counting your residency in Italy towards citizenship?by The Local Italy on June 30, 2025
Living in Italy for a number of years can make you eligible for citizenship through residency. But at what point does your time in the country start to count towards your application?
- Naples and Campi Flegrei rocked by 4.6-magnitude quakeby The Local Italy on June 30, 2025
A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck Italy's volcanic region of Campi Flegrei and the city of Naples on Monday, sparking panic among residents but causing no immediate damage.
- How long will Italy’s scorching heatwave last?by The Local Italy on June 30, 2025
As an intense heatwave continues to grip Italy, pushing temperatures up to 40°C in parts of the centre and south, when can we expect the heat to wear off?
- On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this weekby The Local Italy on June 29, 2025
From an important tax deadline to higher public transport fares in Rome and the start of Italy’s summer sales, here's what to expect this week.
- Cold baths and climate shelters as Southern Europe heatwave intensifiesby The Local Italy on June 28, 2025
Authorities across Southern Europe urged people to seek shelter and protect the most vulnerable on Sunday, as punishing temperatures from Spain to Portugal, Italy and France climbed higher in the summer's first major heatwave.
- How securing rights through citizenship has become 'increasingly fragile'by The Local Italy on June 28, 2025
Naturalisation has often been seen as the best way to secure the right to live in a country and to be able return any time, but this notion is becoming “increasingly fragile”, a new report reveals.
- Bezos, Sánchez say 'I do' in a divided Veniceby The Local Italy on June 28, 2025
Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez tied the knot on Friday at a sumptuous ceremony with the rich and famous on an island in Venice's lagoon, out of the sight and sound of protesters.
- EXPLAINED: How Florence has changed its rules on tourist lets in 2025by The Local Italy on June 26, 2025
New rules cracking down on Airbnb and other tourist rentals have recently come into force in Florence. As angry local landlords vow to challenge the measures in court, here’s a look at what’s changed.
- The key Italian words you won’t want to mix up when travellingby The Local Italy on June 26, 2025
Travelling in Italy this summer? Knowing how to use some commonly misunderstood transport-related vocabulary will help you on your way.
- What are your responsibilities as a foreign resident in Italy?by The Local Italy on June 24, 2025
Being an official resident in Italy has plenty of perks, but it also comes with responsibilities. Here's a closer look at exactly what you're getting yourself into.
- Everything that changes about life in Italy in July 2025by The Local Italy on June 24, 2025
From new flight routes to transport strikes and summer festivals, here's what to expect in Italy over the coming month.
- EXPLAINED: Italy's new rules for short-term lets in 2025by The Local Italy on June 23, 2025
The rules on running Airbnb and other short-term tourist rentals in Italy are constantly changing, and vary by region. Here are the latest updates for hosts this year.
- KEY DATES: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in July 2025by The Local Italy on June 23, 2025
People travelling to, from or across Italy could face disruption this July as trade unions have announced walkouts affecting air, rail and local public transport services.
- How to organise your language test for Italian citizenshipby The Local Italy on October 14, 2024
People applying for Italian citizenship by residency or marriage need to prove proficiency in the Italian language by taking a test. But where can you take it and how can you book it?
- Reader question: Can I be stripped of permanent residency in Italy?by The Local Italy on June 21, 2024
Applying for permanent residency in Italy is often a lengthy process involving plenty of red tape. But can it ever be taken away from you after you get it?
- What are the rules for installing air conditioning in your Italian home?by The Local Italy on July 3, 2023
Air conditioning doesn’t come as standard in Italian homes, so if you want it this summer, you may have to install it yourself. Here's what you need to know about the process.
- Italian word of the day: 'Puzzare'by The Local Italy on October 16, 2019
This wonderfully expressive verb is nothing to sniff at.