Italy

Area: 301,318 km ²

Population: 58,126,212 (2009)

Official name: Italian Republic

Capital: Rome

Italy is in southern Europe. Something special about this country is that it has too small states within its borders, San Marino and the Vatican City.

At the border / Visa
A national identity card or passport is sufficient for EU citizens. If you wish to stay longer than 90 days you can obtain a visa.
Vaccination
In theory there are no vaccinations required. However in summer a vaccination against tick fever may be an option. Ask your doctor for more details.

Climate
Summer in Italy is usually quite warm, especially in the south. The Mediterranean climate means that temperatures can reach up to 35 degrees.
The winter is cold and wet in the mountains of the north. In the south it is milder. In spring and autumn a warm wind blows from Africa, which provides a temperature rise.

Currency
Italy joined the Euro in 2002.

Language
The residents of Italy speak Italian. There are several dialects which are divided into two groups, east and west.

Power / Signal Network
Electrical current is 220 volts. In the case of other connections, you can buy an adapter.

Culture

People think of Italy, they think of culture. The country has a long history and so much culture to offer. Historic towns, baroque churches, beautiful squares and famous art collections. Italy does has 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
For Italians, the town or region they come from is very important, as are family ties. Although there is a large difference between the north and south. In the South, the population is very traditional. Family loyalty and pride are very important.

Southern families are often large, although the number of children has gone down in recent years. The families of the north are less numerous, but they also highly value family ties. A north-south divide is most apparent in the social position of women. The north has more benefits for women in terms of work and social life.

Lifestyle
The mentality of the Italian population is very open and neutral. One of the key aspects of family life.

Religion
The main religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism. 87.7% say they are Catholic, but only 36.8% practiced the faith.