| 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
- Italy's sport minister asks football chief to step down after World Cup disasterby The Local Italy on April 1, 2026
Italy's Sport Minister Andrea Abodi said on Wednesday the head of the country's football federation should step down after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
- What's on in Italy: 15 events to look forward to in April 2026by The Local Italy on April 1, 2026
From free Easter museum openings to historical festivals and unmissable wine and design events, there are plenty of things to do in Italy this month.
- Ten Italian regions under severe weather warnings amid violent stormsby The Local Italy on April 1, 2026
Italy’s government issued its most critical weather warning for parts of Abruzzo and Molise on Wednesday, with eight other central-southern regions also on high alert.
- Italy delays coal phase-out by over a decadeby The Local Italy on April 1, 2026
Italy's parliament voted on Tuesday to delay the closure of the country's coal-fired power stations by over a decade, a move experts slammed as "worrying" political propaganda.
- Italy denied use of base to some US aircraft headed to Middle Eastby The Local Italy on April 1, 2026
Italy recently refused authorisation for some US aircraft headed to the Middle East on a combat mission to land at its Sigonella base, a defence ministry source and Italian media said on Tuesday.
- Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesdayby The Local Italy on April 1, 2026
Italy miss out on third straight World Cup, Meloni government denied use of base to some US aircraft, and more news on Wednesday.
- Brits in Italy: What do you need to know about renewing Brexit residency cards?by The Local Italy on March 31, 2026
The deadline is approaching for many British residents of Italy to renew their 'carta di soggiorno elettronica'. You can share your questions about the process with us, and we'll put them to the British Embassy.
- Italy's fertility rate fell to new low in 2025by The Local Italy on March 31, 2026
Italy's fertility rate fell to a new low of 1.14 children per woman in 2025, one of the lowest levels in the world, official data released on Tuesday showed.
- Pet Passports: The post-Brexit travel rules for trips between Italy and the UKby The Local Italy on March 31, 2026
Since Brexit, changes to European Pet Passport access mean a different process for many dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between Italy and the UK.
- Italy's PM seeks to revive fortunes with electoral reformby The Local Italy on March 31, 2026
Italy's prime minister is seeking to revive her government's fortunes after a damaging referendum defeat with a new electoral reform introduced in parliament on Tuesday.
- Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesdayby The Local Italy on March 31, 2026
Italy to face Bosnia in World Cup play-off final, ministers rule out early elections after referendum defeat, and more news from Italy on Tuesday.
- European airports record longer waits at borders as EES deadline loomsby The Local Italy on March 30, 2026
European airports and airlines organisations issued on Monday the latest warning about the next implementation phase of the EU's new biometric border system, “as the transition phase comes to an end right in the travel peak of the Easter holidays.”
- Italy hoping to scale World Cup 'Everest' ahead of Bosnia play-off showdownby The Local Italy on March 30, 2026
Italy have one more obstacle standing between them and a return to the World Cup in the shape of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who host the Azzurri on Tuesday in what promises to be a tense qualification play-off final in Zenica.
- Five ways Italy’s government is 'eroding the rule of law'by The Local Italy on March 30, 2026
Italy has once again been named as one of five EU member states that are "actively eroding rule of law institutions" in a new report on human rights and civil liberties.
- What's happening over Easter in Italy in 2026by The Local Italy on March 16, 2026
Easter is one of the most important yearly celebrations in Italy, marked by religious processions, centuries-old traditions and plenty of food. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from the 'Pasqua’ holiday.
- What's open and what's closed in Italy over Easter weekend 2026by The Local Italy on February 26, 2026
With just over a month to go until Easter, we've taken a look at the transport schedules and the opening and closing times of shops, museums, restaurants and pharmacies in Italy so you can plan ahead for the holiday.
- UK to hike price of Electronic Travel Authorisation for foreign travellersby The Local Italy on February 7, 2026
The UK government is set to further increase the cost of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for travellers from Europe, coinciding with the implementation of tougher entry rules.
- Italian word of the day: 'Spesso'by The Local Italy on April 29, 2022
Here's a word you'll often find use for.
- Italian word of the day: 'Posso'by The Local Italy on August 26, 2019
Can you get to grips with this extremely common term?
- Italian expression of the day: 'Pesce d’aprile'by The Local Italy on April 1, 2019
There's no escape from the pranksters' favourite day of the year in Italy. Here, it just has a cuter name: 'April's fish'.





















