Country's Full Name: Italian Republic, Repubblica Italiana

Brief History: Rome was inhabited by Greek settlers around 800 BC. Italy remains seat to one of the greatest civilizations on earth – the Roman Empire. Roman Empire lasted for 12 centuries; it was weakened by barbaric invasions in 4th century AD. Smaller weaker states formed which were later annexed by Spain. In modern times Italy became the part of Napolean Bonaparte’s empire. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy was proclaimed king making Italy into constitutional monarchy with parliament having limited powers. In 1922 Benito Mussolini became the fascist dictator who later aligned with Hitler in the Second World War. Since 1946, Italy is a democracy.

What is the country known for: Major tourist attraction includes the leaning tower of Pisa, the Roman Colosseum in Rome, Venice the land of canals. Vatican City can be visited from Rome the small country city with Roman Catholic Pope holding seat of Power.

Main Industries:
The GDP which is 6th in the world, comprise of agriculture 2%, industry 29.1%, and services 69.1%. The main industries are food processing, textiles, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear and ceramics. Tourism, Hotels forms the main service industry.

Main Trading Partners:
Italy was the founding member of European Community or European Union. It is the member of G- 8 group of industrialized nations. The main trading partners ar the countries in European Union with 59% trade -- Germany - 19%, France - 13%, Netherlands - 6%.

Major Cities: Rome (Capital) - 3,550,900 (metro. area), 2,455,600 (city proper) Milan - 1,180,700; Naples - 991,700; Turin - 856,000; Palermo - 651,500; Genoa - 602,500; Bologna - 369,300; Florence - 351,600; Bari - 311,900; Catania - 305,900; Venice - 265,700

Location: 42 50 N, 12 50 E.
Located in Southern Europe, a boot-shaped peninsula stretched to central Mediterranean Sea. The country in the west is surrounded by Tyrrhenian Sea and Adriatic Sea in the east.

Size:
Slightly more than Arizona, it has 113,521 sq mi (294,019 sq km); total area 116,306 sq mi (301,230 sq km)

Time Zone:
Central European Standard Time
GMT 1 hour
Daylight Saving Time GMT 2 hour

Type of Government: Italy is a republic where real power lies in the hands of people. It is governed with 15 regions and 5 autonomous regions. The country has bicameral parliament with senate or Senato della Repubblica (315 seats, members are elected to serve for 5 years and are elected by proportional vote with the winning coalition in each region receiving 55% of seats from that region); and the chamber of deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats, elected for 5 years by popular votes).
Present President Giorgio Napolitano (since May 15,2006)
Present Prime Minister Romano Prodi (since May 17, 2006)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen's Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
25 Apr Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen's Day.

Note
In addition, local feast days are held in honour of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include:

Turin/Genoa/Florence: 24 Jun (St John the Baptist).
Milan: 7 Dec (St Ambrose).
Siena: 2 Jul and 16 Aug, Palio horserace.
Venice: 25 Apr (St Mark).
Bologna: 4 Oct (St Petronius).
Naples: 19 Sep (St Gennaro).
Bari: 6 Dec (St Nichola).
Palermo: 15 Jul (St Rosalia).
Rome: 29 Jun (St Peter).
Trieste: 3 Nov (St Giusto).

Population and Breakdown:
58,147,733 (2007 estimated)
Life expectancy - 79.94 years
Male - 77.01 years
Female - 83.07 years
Median Age - 42.5 years
Male - 41.1 years
Female - 44.1 years

Religion:
Roman Catholic 90%
Other 10% (Protestants, Jews, Muslims)

Language:
Italian - Official language
German, French, Slovene.

Local Customs: Once in Rome do what Romans do remember this phrase while in Italy.

Best Time to go: The best time to visit Italy is January to April before the beginning of summer season. Northern parts in Italy get evening showers due to humidity. Conditions are mild in Southern Italy. In August when most of the schools are closed due to summer vacation, hotels are booked more to the capacity.

Currency:
1 Euro = 0.67937 British Pound
1 British Pound (GBP) = 1.47195 Euro (EUR)
1 Euro = 1.36801 US Dollar
1 US Dollar (USD) = 0.73099 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations: How much liquor or cigarettes can you bring in with you?
No more duty free allowances are allowed in EU countries. Visitors entering Spain from EU countries can bring 200 cigars, 3200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 10 liters of spirit, 110 litres of beer, 20 litres of fortified wine/and or 90 litres of wine. Visitors can purchase VAT free articles at the airport while traveling between EU countries.

Non EU countries Visitors above the age 15 and above may enter Spain duty free with up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, a litre of alcohol and 2 litres of wine.

Tipping: Under the Italian law, the restaurants must include service charges or tip (servizio) and cover charges (coperto) normally to 15% in the bill. Restaurants expect cover charges for the sitting benefit which depends upon the place you sit. Once you pay servizio you will never be asked to leave the table and can sit for hours. You will never be given a bill unless you ask for it. Finally when you decide to leave the bill will be presented (conto). You may hand over to waiter some euros, if you are satisfied with the service. Waiters in Italy are nicely paid getting decent salaries - they just don't depend only on tips for their living.