Political structure

Italy is a parliamentary republic. The legislative body is a bicameral parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate).

Religion

In Italy, the Catholic religion predominates (99%), which is not surprising for a country in which the stronghold of the Catholic faith is located - the city-state of the Vatican and the residence of the Pope.The remaining 1% is distributed among other denominations.

Holidays

Italians love and know how to celebrate. As in any other country, secular and religious holidays are celebrated in Italy, therefore, when going on a trip, it will be useful to know where and when festivities and special events take place.

As throughout the world, on the night from December 31 to January 1, Italians celebrate New Year. It is customary to meet him in the family, at discos or in restaurants. When walking under the windows of houses on New Year's Eve, be careful: this holiday is traditionally accompanied not only by the shooting of firecrackers and firecrackers, but also by throwing out all sorts of junk and old unusable dishes from the windows.

January 1 is also celebrated World Peace Day: on this day of Peter the Pope celebrates a solemn mass in the Cathedral of St. Petra.
December 25th is celebrated Christmas. On this day, family and friends exchange gifts; the house is decorated with a Christmas tree or “presepe” - a three-dimensional picture depicting the birth of Christ. December 26 is celebrated St. Stephen's Day.

If you want to go to the famous Italian carnival, then plan your trip from the day of Epiphany until the beginning of Lent. Carnivals in Venice and Viareggio are very popular. The latter hosts a mask parade several times during the carnival season. And you can get to the famous “orange fights” in the Piedmontese city of Ivrea. The main spring holiday is Easter. Its celebration begins on Easter Monday and lasts until the end of the week. On this day, it is customary to give children chocolate eggs with surprises hidden inside.

April 25 – celebrated in Italy Day of liberation from fascism, 1st of May - Labor Day, and on the first Sunday in June the Day of the Proclamation of the Republic is celebrated.
August 15 - Feast of the Assumption, which coincides with the peak of holidays: at this time all businesses in Italy are closed, and most Italians relax at the seaside or go to the mountains.
Nov. 1 - All Saints' Day

Climate of Italy.
Italy is located in temperate and, for the most part, subtropical zones.
The determining influence on the climate of Italy is the warm Mediterranean Sea, the significant elongation of the territory from northwest to southeast, and the predominance of mountainous and hilly terrain.
In Italy you can find optimal climatic conditions for any type of holiday.
Northern Italy is characterized by a transitional type of climate - from subtropical to temperate continental. The penetration of warm air masses from the west is prevented by the Maritime Alps and the Apennines, so the influence of cooler air from the Adriatic Sea predominates in the Padan Valley of Italy.
The climate of the Tyrrhenian Sea coast is 1-2°C warmer than that of the Adriatic coast.
It is warm on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, protected by mountains from the north.
The average temperature in January on the Apennine Peninsula ranges from 1-10°C, in July - 23-30°C.
Half of the annual precipitation occurs in winter, in the north - in spring and autumn. In the Alps, snow always falls in winter, and frosts can reach -10°C.
The hottest months in Rome are July and August. Average temperatures: in January - 12°C; in July - 32°C. Winter in Italy is quite mild, but there is frequent rain in January and February.

Treatment in Italy
Treatment in Italy has a number of undeniable advantages. Firstly, this country holds the record for the number of thermal resorts in the Mediterranean basin. There are many hot and cold springs concentrated here, which is due to the geological features of the Apennines. There are a large number of volcanoes on the peninsula, including several active ones, in the depths of which a whole network of underground canals is hidden.
The north of Italy, the Veneto region, is rich in springs. There are balneological resorts and mud baths here, which provide effective assistance to people suffering from rheumatism, respiratory diseases and gynecological diseases.
In the Emilia Romagna region, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and metabolic disorders are successfully treated.
Visiting the resorts of the Lazio region is recommended for people suffering from urolithiasis, and the hospitals of the island of Ischia allow you to get rid of the effects of rheumatism, metabolic disorders and obesity.
The second advantage of Italian thermal springs is that there are not only many of them, they are also different, which makes it possible to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders at local resorts. There are sulfur-containing, bromide- and radon-containing springs, mud baths and thalassotherapy institutes where algae and sea salts are used for treatment.

General information:

Population of Italy
Italy has a population of about 57.3 million people; hence the population density is 195 people per sq. km. The most densely populated regions are Lombardy, Campania, Lazio, Sicily, Piedmont and Veneto.

Time: Moscow minus two hours.

Currency of Italy: Euro.
Most banks are open from 08:00 or 09:00 to 13:00, and then from 15:00 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday. You can also exchange money at the train station, at the airport or at the receptionist at any hotel, but the exchange rate in this case will be less favorable. Some banks and exchange offices charge a large commission - up to 6%, which is not always warned about in advance. Before exchanging, you should ask about the commission amount.

Shops in Italy.
As a rule, shops are open from 09-00 to 19-00 with a long break for lunch - from about 13-00 to 16-00 - the so-called siesta. On Saturday and Sunday, most shops are closed, but in resort towns in Italy they are often open until late in the evening and on weekends.
The main shopping streets in Rome are Via Nazionale, Via del Corso, Via Vittorio Venetto. B - Via Monte Napoleone, Corso Buenos Aires. If you like to shop in large department stores, look for signs - Rinascente, Upim, Standa, Coin.
famous for its good goods and high prices, as well as a wide selection of souvenirs - from carnival masks to the famous Venetian glass.
known for leather goods. And everything that you do not have time to buy in these cities - you will find in Rome. Those wishing to update their wardrobe and dress according to the latest trends in Italian fashion will also be pleased with the shops and, as well as retail shopping centers of San Marino, interesting for their duty-free trade.

Transport in Italy.
Italy has a well-developed intercity transport network. Tickets must be purchased in advance: at special ticket offices at railway stations for trains, and at Tabacchi bars or kiosks for buses, which must be validated on the bus. All stops are on request.
There are metro stations in Rome and Milan. Taxis - by order or at special parking lots. Orders are accepted by phone.

Tips.
Despite the widespread use of set prices including service, tipping of up to 10% of the bill is still accepted in Italy. However, they are voluntary in nature - no one will openly demand them from you.

Churches.
Visiting churches during lunch breaks and worship services is not permitted. It is also strictly prohibited for women to enter with bare shoulders and knees, and for men to wear shorts.

Museums.
Most museums in Italy are open only in the first half of the day, and on one weekday (usually Monday) they are closed.

Voltage.
Mains voltage 220 V. European type sockets.

Beaches.
Beaches in Italy are mostly municipal. They are divided into plots and rented out to hotels. Each site has its own beach keeper who monitors order and cleanliness, and also charges for the use of umbrellas and sunbeds. According to local rules, the first five meters of the beach from the water's edge are free, where you can sunbathe on a towel. We would like to warn lovers of romance - being on municipal beaches from 01-00 to 05-00 in the morning in Italy is prohibited by law, violators will face a significant fine.

Italy is a leading country in economic development. This is a European state that is part of the EU and NATO. The favorable geographical position of Italy ensures developed tourism. This is especially due to the expanded access to the Mediterranean Sea.

Geography of the country

Italy is located in the south of Europe. The Apennine Peninsula is usually called the boot, because on the map it is similar to this particular women's shoe. The country includes large islands - Sardinia and Sicily. Due to the presence of many land and sea borders, many areas of activity are actively developing in the state.

In the western part of Italy there are the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian seas, in the east - the Adriatic, in the south - the Ionian. The state has borders with:

• France;
• Austria;
• Slovenia;
• Switzerland.

Most of the country includes mountains. The highest point in the Alps is Mont Blanc. Vesuvius is located on the territory of the Apennine Mountains, and on the island. Sicily - Etna. These peaks are considered active volcanoes.

Between the Apennines and the Alps is the Padana Plain. There are also other plains in Spain on the west coast: the Pontine Marshes, Marema, Campania di Roma.

There are many reservoirs in the country. The main rivers are the Adige, Po, and Tiber. Among the lakes there are Lago Maggiore, Como, Garda. The area of ​​the country is 301 thousand 340 square meters. km. It includes the dwarf states of San Marino and the Vatican. The forest covers 93 thousand square meters. km. Irrigated lands account for 4 thousand, and inland waters – 720.

Influence on weather

The geography of the country influences the climatic characteristics of the country. Since Italy is located over a large area from north to south, the weather conditions are varied. In the northern part they are temperate continental to subtropical.

In winter, on the territory of the Lombard Plain, the temperature level ranges from +4 degrees during the day and to zero at night. There is frequent precipitation, snow persists for up to 3 weeks. In summer, the air heats up to +30 degrees.

In mountainous parts, temperatures can vary depending on the altitude. At the foot of the mountain the weather conditions are moderate, while at the tops they are cold. Snowfalls begin in October and end at the end of April. Snow can remain on the mountain slopes for up to 6 months, providing excellent conditions for skiers.

Mediterranean climatic conditions determine the weather on the islands. There are hot, dry summers and warm winters. Sea water is comfortable throughout the summer until October. During the peak season it heats up to +26 degrees, so local beaches are in demand among tourists from all countries.

Geographical location of Italy.

ITALY, Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana), a state in southern Europe. It occupies the Apennine Peninsula, the Padana Plain, the southern slopes of the Alps, the islands of Sicily, Sardinia and a number of small islands. Area 301 thousand km2. Population: about 57.99 million people (2003). Capital - Rome. Largest cities: Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo, Genoa. Major ports: Augusta, Bari, Brindisi, Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Milazzo, Naples, Porto Foxi, Porto Torres, Savono, Salerno, Taranto, Trieste, Venice.

Within Italy there are 2 enclave states - Vatican City and San Marino.

State structure of Italy.

Parliamentary republic. The head of state is the president (elected by an electoral college consisting of deputies of both houses of parliament and 58 representatives from the regions for a 7-year term). The legislative body is a bicameral parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate). The executive branch is headed by the prime minister, the leader of the party that received the majority in the parliamentary elections.

Economy and industry of Italy.

Italy is a highly developed country. It ranks 6th in the world in terms of economic development. The revival of the country's economy in the late 1990s, the strengthening of the European integration process, and the introduction of the euro serve as a huge incentive for the further development of small and medium-sized businesses; so-called clusters arise - specialized production zones. More than 2/5 of industrial production is concentrated in the north-west of the country, in the area of ​​the “industrial triangle” Milan-Turin-Genoa; the south remains an area with relatively weak industrial development and the lowest standard of living. The development of industry based on small and medium-sized businesses in the Center-East region is relatively new, with the Veneto region leading the way. GNP per capita. $19,710 (1999). Share in GDP (1996,%): trade, finance and services 36.9, industry 20.7, agriculture 2.9.

On about. Sicily, the Padanian Plain and the continental shelf of the Adriatic Sea produce oil (5.6 million tons in 1996) and natural gas (20.0 billion m3), in Sardinia and Tuscany - brown and hard coals, polymetallic ores, pyrites, Sicily - sulfur and potassium salts, marble and granite in Tuscany. Despite the production of energy resources, they are extremely insufficient and Italy is heavily dependent on their imports by 80%.

In terms of steel production (24.3 million tons in 1996) and rolled products, the country ranks second in Western Europe after Germany (in the cities of Cornigliano, Piombino, Bagnoli and Taranto). The most powerful oil refining industry in Western Europe (Genoa, Naples, Venice; Priolo Melilli on the island of Sardinia, etc.) is based on imported oil (75 million tons in 1995) and gas. The leading industries are mechanical engineering and metalworking, chemical and petrochemical, food and light. The most developed are: the automotive industry (1.3 million passenger cars, the national company Fiat, including Ferrari racing cars, 0.8 million motorcycles in 1996); shipbuilding (Monfalcon, Trieste, Venice, Genoa, La Spezia, Naples); electrical and electronics industry. Almost all automobile factories are located in the north of the country, the main concern is Fiat, with its center in Turin. Italy is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of refrigerators (5.9 million) and washing machines - 7 million in 1995 (Milan and its suburbs, Rome, Naples). Production of personal computers and office equipment (Olivetti company, Ivrea). The main region of the chemical industry is Milan and its surroundings (including the production of car tires - the Pirelli company), pharmaceutical products, etc. A significant part of the petrochemical plants are located in the seaport areas: Porto Marghera, Brindisi, Gela, Naples, Cagliari.

Italy is one of the world's largest producers of cotton and wool fabrics, footwear, high-quality ready-made clothing and knitwear, furniture, jewelry, art glass and earthenware. The textile industry is based mainly in the north of the country (Piedmont, Venice, Tuscany regions). In terms of shoe production (300 million pairs in 1996), Italy ranks second in the world after China, and in shoe production per capita (5.2 pairs) it is second only to Portugal. The food industry specializes in the production of pasta, cheese, granulated sugar, olive oil, canned vegetables and fruits, juices, grape wines, and tobacco products.

37.9% of the country's territory is used in agriculture, pastures occupy 15.4% (1994). The leading industry is crop production (approx. 60% of agricultural products) specializing in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits, olives and grapes. Italy is among the top five largest world producers of fruits, berries, citrus fruits and grapes (total 17.5 million tons in 1996), vegetables and melons (13.6 million tons). Along with France, the country is one of the world leaders in grape harvesting (9.5 million tons in 1997, Apulia, Veneto, Sicily regions) and grape wine production (over 60 million hl per year); Italy is second only to Spain in the collection of olives (2.45 million tons) and citrus fruits in Western Europe. Italy is the largest producer and practically the only exporter of rice in Western Europe.

Italy's share in world exports is 4.8% (machinery and equipment - 42% of the value, including cars, household electrical appliances, industrial equipment; petroleum products and chemicals, finished clothing and footwear, rolled steel and pipes, food, etc.) .

Italy's service sector is dominated by tourism and banking. The most important source of income is tourism. Over 50 million people visit Italy every year. (almost the same number live in Italy itself). The cities of Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, numerous castles, monasteries, sea and ski resorts are places of pilgrimage for tourists. “Shopping tourism” is developing, attracting wholesalers of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as individual consumers of Italian shoes and clothing. Banking activities are no less important. Italy is the birthplace of banks; 67% of its localities have banking institutions.

The monetary unit is the euro.

History of Italy.

Man settled on the peninsula back in the Paleolithic. On about. Sicily, one of the most ancient civilizations, was created by the Sican and Siculi tribes (2nd millennium BC), and colonies of the ancient Greeks appeared here, including Syracuse. In the 2nd millennium BC. e. The Italics (ancient Indo-European tribes) settled across most of the Apennine Peninsula; the Latins and Sabines belonging to their group founded Rome (8th century BC). The Etruscan civilization reached a high level of development in Tuscany. In the 5th-3rd centuries. the territory of Italy became the main part of the Roman state.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire and the invasion of barbarians who founded their own kingdoms, the country fell apart for a long time. At the same time, culture was preserved here even during the reign of the barbarians, and there was a high level of development of crafts. In Italy, for the first time in the world, in the 14th century. a manufactory appeared (in Florence). The high level of development of production and trade in Italian cities led to their independence. Basically, a republican system developed in the cities, which, with increasing property stratification, turned into a seigneury. Rome from the 8th century became the center of the Papal State, the supreme head of which was the Pope. In the Middle Ages, German emperors, popes, France and Spain fought for the territory of Italy.

After the Italian Wars of 1494-1559. Spain's dominance strengthened in Italy after the War of the Spanish Succession of 1701-14. - the power of the Austrian Habsburgs. At the end of the 18th century. - 1814 The territory of Italy was occupied by the troops of Napoleonic France. States dependent on France were created on the occupied lands. Congress of Vienna 1814 - 1815 restored absolute monarchies in Italy: the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Papal State, the duchies of Modena, Parma, Lucca, Tuscany, Lombardy and Venice went to Austria.

Secret organizations fought against Austrian domination: the Carbonari, “Young Italy”. The movement for independence and national revival was called the Risorgimento. The most important stages of the struggle are the Revolution of 1848 and the Revolution of 1859-60. By the end of 1860, almost the entire territory of Italy was united around the Kingdom of Sardinia; in 1871, the unification ended with the annexation of the Papal State to the Kingdom of Italy. In World War I, Italy fought on the side of the Entente and, according to the peace treaties (Saint-Germain 1919, Rapallo 1920), received South Tyrol and almost all of Istria. In 1922, a fascist government led by Mussolini came to power. Fascist Italy captured Ethiopia (1935-36), Albania (1939). An alliance was concluded with Nazi Germany, and in 1940 Italy entered World War II. Italian troops took part in the war against the USSR. In 1943, Mussolini's regime fell, but German troops occupied the country. A resistance movement developed against the invaders. The rebels, together with Anglo-American troops, liberated the entire country in 1945. In 1946, Italy was declared a republic. The Sardinian dynasty, as having collaborated with the Nazis, was expelled from the country. According to the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947, Italy was deprived of all colonies, most of the Istrian peninsula and other territories. Since 1949, Italy has joined NATO, and since 1957 - the EU. The influence of the communists in the post-war period was very strong. Changes of governments in Italy occurred very often, leftist forces more than once found themselves in power. Anarchists are traditionally strong. In the late 1960s - 1970s. Italy went through a period of leftist terror. Since the second half of the 1990s. The leaders in the elections are mainly moderate-right forces. Italy supported the United States in the 2003 anti-Iraq campaign.

National holiday - Day of Proclamation of the Republic (celebrated on the first Sunday of June).