1. Relative location
According to Wikipedia, Italy is a European country consisting of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and surrounded by several islands. Italy is located in south-central Europe, and it is also considered a part of western Europe. A unitary parliamentary republic with its capital in Rome, the country covers a total area of 301,340 km2 (116,350 sq mi) and shares land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and the enclaved microstates of Vatican City and San Marino.
2. Landscape and Physical Environment
According to Wikipedia, over 35% of the Italian territory is mountainous. The Apennine Mountains form the peninsula's backbone, and the Alps form most of its northern boundary, where Italy's highest point is located on Mont Blanc. Other worldwide-known mountains in Italy include the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso in the West Alps, and Bernina, Stelvio and Dolomites along the eastern side.
The Po, Italy's longest river, flows from the Alps on the western border with France and crosses the Padan plain on its way to the Adriatic Sea. The Po Valley is the largest plain in Italy, with 46,000 km2, and it represents over 70% of the total plain area in the country.
Many elements of the Italian territory are of volcanic origin. Most of the small islands and archipelagos in the south, like Capraia, Ponza, Ischia, Eolie, Ustica and Pantelleria are volcanic islands.
3. Weather and climate
According to Wikipedia, because of the great longitudinal extension of the peninsula and the mostly mountainous internal conformation, the climate of Italy is highly diverse. Average winter temperatures vary from 32 °F on the Alps to 54 °F in Sicily, so average summer temperatures range from 68 °F to over 77 °F. Winters can vary widely across the country with lingering cold, foggy and snowy periods in the north and milder, sunnier conditions in the south. Summers can be hot and humid across the country, particularly in the south while northern and central areas can experience occasional strong thunderstorms from spring to autumn.
1, Population, Density and Age/Sex characteristics
population of Italy is 60.3 million and 69.2 % of the population of Italy is urban. Life Expectancy in Italy is 84.0 years. population density in Italy is 206 people per Km2.
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.6% (male 4,326,862
/female 4,136,562)
15-24 years: 9.61% (male 2,994,651
/female 2,984,172)
25-54 years: 41.82% (male 12,845,442
/female 13,183,240)
55-64 years: 13.29% (male 4,012,640
/female 4,261,956)
65 years and over: 21.69% (male 5,817,819
/female 7,683,330) (2018
est)
2, Language and religion
Official Language is Italian. Foreign Languages are English (34%), French (16%), Spanish (11%), German (5%) and Other regional language (6%).
As for Religion 78% are Roman Catholic, 15% are Irreligious and 7.0% are others.
3, Cultural/ethnic groups
According to Trip adviser, Italy is rich in culture, history and traditions. Italians are very proud of their past and therefore fond of their identity (and their family, too). Although foreigners do assume otherwise, Italians tend to be very patriotic and are united under the same language - spoken with different accents and dialects - the same religion (90% is Catholic), the same passions... fashion, food, and sport (soccer, of course). Northern and Central Italy tend to be more industrious and educated, while the Southern part of the country is more rural and laid back. You can breathe history everywhere you go and that shows the respect this country pays to its artistic and historical heritage. Their keen eye for artistic beauty makes the Italian people very aware of their look. Things to like about Italians are their natural inclination to socialize with all kinds of people and their sense of humor.
1, Major economic activities
According to Wikipedia, Italy has a major advanced capitalist mixed economy, ranking as the third-largest in the Eurozone and the eighth-largest in the world. A founding member of the G7, the Eurozone and the OECD, it is regarded as one of the world's most industrialised nations and a leading country in world trade and exports. It is a highly developed country, with the world's 8th highest quality of life in 2005 and the 26th Human Development Index. The country is well known for its creative and innovative business, a large and competitive agricultural sector (with the world's largest wine production), and for its influential and high-quality automobile, machinery, food, design and fashion industry.
2, Imports and Exports
According to Economy Watch, Italy Trade, Exports and ImportsThe 2008 recession decreased Italy's global trade volumes significantly. Its export volumes decreased from $546.9 billion in 2008 to $369 billion in 2010. However, the country's economy remained relatively strong and ranked 8th in the world for export volumes. The main exported commodities include: Engineering products, Textiles and clothing, Production machinery, Motor vehicles, Transport equipment, Beverages and tobacco and Minerals and nonferrous metals.
Italy's imports dipped as well following the 2008 recession. The figures dropped from $546.9 billion in 2008 to $358.7 billion in 2010. Italy imports the following commodities Engineering products, Transport equipment, Energy products, Minerals and nonferrous metals, Textiles and clothing, Food and Beverages.
3, GNP and GNP per capita
Italy gnp for 2018 was $2,028.07B, a 7.47% increase from 2017. Italy is 6 places in the world.
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17 April 2020.
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Accessed 17 April 2020.
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https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/italy-demographics/ Accessed
17 April 2020.
Anon. “Italy GNP 1962-2020” Macro Trends, https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/ITA/italy/gnp-gross-national-product
Accessed 17 April 2020.
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Submitted by Takanori Ikeda on 04/17/2020