Italy is a country in the south of Europe with has a border with France, Slovenia and Austria to the North. Italy has a large coastline on the Mediterranean Sea with the Sardinian Sea, the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Sicilian and Ionian Sea in the South. Off the coast are Sardinia and Sicily which are the largest islands in the Mediterranean. Within Italy are San Marino and Vatican City, two of the world’s smallest independent states. 

Italy is a democratic Republic with a high standard of living. For decades it was the centre of the Roman Empire, which was the most ambitious empire to date until its decline and collapse in the year 476. Today Italy is home to the Vatican State which is the spiritual centre of Catholicism and the home of the Pope. The current Italian Prime Minister is Silvio Berlusconi who has had the post three times. Despite being very popular in Italy he is accused of widespread corruption.  

For good reason Italy is known as the beautiful country. As a focal point in the development of Western culture during the Roman Empire and the later Renaissance, the country built up a wealth of treasures. Today Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country and combined with its extensive coastline and amazing alpine resorts these constitute a powerful draw to travellers. Of course they are also drawn to a country that can claim to rival France in terms of its wine, cuisine and fashion, with many great couture houses based in Milan. The bounteous produce of Italy including grapes and olives are due to the temperate climate, though it can get very hot in the south and very cold in the north.
 

More than 60 million people live in Italy which makes it one of the most populated countries in Europe. Most are Italians including some Greek-Italians in the south and some French, German and Slovenian speaking Italians in the north. The country is home to quite a few Albanian Italians as well. 90% of the population is Roman Catholic but there are also Jews and Protestants as well as a growing Muslim population.