Area: 116,303 square miles
Population: 56,778,000
Population density: 487/sq. mile
Capital: Roma (2,775,000 inhabitants)Italy is a land celebrated
for the arts, and not the least among the arts that have attained
their highest expression in Italy is the art of hospitality. The
Italian welcome is as warm and traditional as a glass of fine
wine. This comparison is apt, for travelers in ancient times gave
the country its first name: Land of Wines. Italians are such good
hosts because they get so much practice welcoming visitors from
all over the world.
Italy is one of the most popular vacation countries in Europe,
all seasons being good for a visit. In summer, Italy is an international
playground, with visitors from all continents mingling with vacationing
Italians at the famous resorts. Spring comes early to Italy and
autumn lingers - and so will the wise traveler who wants to enjoy
at a more leisurely pace the art centers, the large cities and
the holiday resorts such as those in the Lombardian lake region
where spring and fall are ideal seasons.
In winter, the Italian Alps are unequaled for scenery and skiing.
In northern Italy are some of the world's most renowned winter
sports resorts, easily reached from such centers as Torino, chief
city of the westernmost Piemonte region; from Milan, hub of the
central mountain and lake district; and from Venezia, leading
city of the eastern region. Skiing is also a summer sport in the
Torino Alps and the lofty mountains surrounding the Valle d'Aosta.
From the sunny southern slopes of the Alps to the lush orange
groves of Sicilia, Italy offers enormous variety in its natural
scenery and historical backgrounds. Because a good part of Italy
grew up as a collection of independent city-states, customs and
food vary greatly from region to region. This rich history is
preserved in the colorful folklore festivals that take place in
all of Italy's regions throughout the year.
Most of the year the beaches are sunny, with 5,310 miles of shoreline
bordering Italy and its islands. You can usually find waters where
the temperature is right for swimming. And history is always in
season: choose any time of year to tour historic buildings and
view the world's greatest art treasures, for this is a land that
has been writing and preserving its history for over three thousand
years.
Geographical Profile & Climate in
Italy
Geographical Profile
There is a great deal of variety in the landscape in Italy, although
it is characterized predominantly by two mountain chains: the
Alps and the Apennines. The former extends over 600 miles from
east to west. It consists of great massifs in the western sector,
with peaks rising to over 14,000 feet, including Monte Bianco
(Mont Blanc), Monte Rosa and Cervino (the Matterhorn). The the
chain is lower in the eastern sector, although the mountains,
the Dolomites, are still of extraordinary beauty.
Climate
in Italy
The moderating influence of the sea and the protection given by
the Alpine barrier from the cold north winds join to bless Italy
with a temperate climate. Nevertheless, the weather varies considerably
according to how far one is from the sea or the mountains. The
winter is very cold in the Alps, cold and foggy in the Po Plain
and the central Apennines; mild and even warm on the Ligurian
coast, the Neapolitan coast and in Sicilia.
The summer is hot and dry, but the temperature is mitigated on
the coast by sea breezes and in the Apennines and Alps it is pleasantly
cool. In mountain areas, winter is ideal for skiing, and summer
for excursions, hiking, etc. Seaside and lake resorts, with their
excellent hotel facilities, have an intense tourist season in
the summer, while the cities that are rich in art treasures are
ideal in spring and autumn.
Time
In terms
of standard time zones, Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard
Time in the USA and Canada. Daylight saving time in Italy goes
into effect each year usually from the end of March to the middle
of October.
Public Holidays
Holidays
Offices and Shops are closed all Sundays in Italy. In major tourist
areas especially during high season many shops are now open.
Here is the list of National Statutory Holidays
| January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| January 6 |
Epiphany |
| |
Easter Sunday |
| |
Easter Monday |
| April 25 |
Liberation Day |
| May 1 |
Labor Day |
| August 15 |
Assumption of the Virgin |
| November 1 |
All Saints Day |
| December 8 |
Day of Immaculate Conception |
| December 25 |
Christmas Day |
| December 26 |
Santo Stefano (Boxing Day) |
Offices and Shops are also closed in the following
cities on the local feast days honoring their patron Saints:
| April 25 |
San Marco (Venezia) |
| June 24 |
San Giovanni Battista (Firenxe, Genova, Torino) |
| June 29 |
San Pietro e Paolo (Roma) |
| July 15 |
Santa Rosalia (Palermo) |
| |
San Gennaro (Napoli) |
| October 4 |
San Petronio (Bologna) |
| October 30 |
San Saturnino (Cagliri) |
| November 3 |
San Giusto (Trieste) |
| December 6 |
San Nicola |
|
