Italy is a country whose landscape varies from region to region: snow-capped Alps in the north, rolling hills covered in vineyards in the center, and Mediterranean coasts and islands in the south, with cities of art that have shaped world history. A peninsula in the heart of the Mediterranean, it combines extraordinary landscapes, a unique artistic heritage, and a cuisine renowned worldwide.
POPULATION
Italy has a population of about 59 million, distributed unevenly: the northern plains and the large metropolitan areas are the most densely populated, while the mountainous regions and many inland areas in the south are less densely populated. The major cities are Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, and Palermo.
CAPITAL
The capital is Rome, located in the center of the country: it is the capital of the Lazio region and the seat of the Italian government. Known as “caput mundi,” it is home to unique layers of history: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City—an independent state in the heart of the city, home to St. Peter’s Basilica.
CLIMATE
The climate varies greatly from north to south: alpine and continental in the north, Mediterranean along the coasts and on the islands.
• Summer (June–August): Hot throughout most of the country, with average temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 °C in the south and along the coast; cooler in the mountains.
• Winter (December–February): cold and foggy in the Po Valley (0–8 °C), bitterly cold in the mountains, mild along the southern coasts (12–15 °C).
• Spring and fall: the most pleasant seasons, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 °C and generally sunny days.
From the snow-capped Dolomites to the beaches of Sicily and Sardinia, Italy offers destinations for every season.
CURRENCY
The official currency isthe euro (EUR). Convert the Euro to Swiss Francs.
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
• Italian: the official language and the language spoken by the majority.
• German: a co-official language in South Tyrol.
• French and Slovenian: recognized in the Aosta Valley and in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
English, German, and French are widely spoken in tourist areas.
RELIGION
The predominant religion is Catholicism, with the world’s smallest country, Vatican City—the seat of the papacy—located in Rome. There are Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim communities.
ART
Italy has the most UNESCO sites in the world and is the birthplace of the Renaissance.
• Architecture: from Roman antiquity (the Colosseum, the Pantheon) to Gothic cathedrals, the Renaissance palaces of Florence, and the Baroque cities of Lecce and Noto.
• Art and History: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio in the museums and churches of Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan.
• Handicrafts: Deruta ceramics, Murano glass, Como textiles, Florence leather.
• Music: the cradle of opera, with historic theaters such as La Scala in Milan andthe Arena di Verona.
CULTURE
Italian culture revolves around conviviality, beauty, and a connection to local traditions.
• Family and Society: The family remains central; each region preserves its own customs, dialects, and recipes.
• Holidays: the Venice Carnival, the Palio di Siena, Ferragosto in August, and the patron saint festivals in various towns.
• Traditions: an evening stroll, coffee at a café, and village festivals celebrating a local specialty.
• Lifestyle: a daily routine shaped by the seasons, the market, and the table.
FOOD
Italian cuisine is among the most beloved in the world: simple in its ingredients, precise in its preparation, and deeply regional.
Traditional dishes:
• Neapolitan pizza: the original version, with San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella, baked in a wood-fired oven.
• Pasta: a thousand regional shapes, from Roman carbonate to trofie with Ligurian pesto.
• Risotto: the signature dish of northern Italy, from Milanese-style risotto to saffron risotto.
• Prosciutto and cheeses: Parma prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, buffalo mozzarella from Campania.
Drinks: regional wines— Chianti, Barolo, Prosecco, Nero d’Avola —and espresso at the bar, a national institution.
A cuisine that is recognized as cultural heritage, to be savored slowly and in good company.