Italian Republic Repubblica Italiana (Italian) | |
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Anthem: Il Canto degli Italiani (Italian) "The Song of the Italians" | |
![]() Location of Italy (dark green) – on the European continent (light green & dark grey) | |
Capital and largest city | Rome 41°54′N 12°29′E / 41.900°N 12.483°E |
Official languages | Italian |
Religion |
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Demonym(s) | Italian |
Government | Unitary constitutional parliamentary republic |
Sergio Mattarella | |
Giorgia Meloni | |
Ignazio La Russa | |
Lorenzo Fontana | |
Legislature | Parliament |
Senate of the Republic | |
Chamber of Deputies | |
Formation | |
17 March 1861 | |
• Republic | 2 June 1946 |
• Founded the EEC (now the European Union) | 1 January 1958 |
Area | |
• Total | 301,338 km2 (116,347 sq mi) (71st) |
• Water (%) | 2.4 |
Population | |
• 31.12.2016 estimate | ![]() |
• Density | 201.3/km2 (521.4/sq mi) (63rd) |
GDP (PPP) | 2016 estimate |
• Total | $2.234 trillion[3] (12th) |
• Per capita | $36,833[3] (32nd) |
GDP (nominal) | 2016 estimate |
• Total | $1.850 trillion[3] (8th) |
• Per capita | $30,507[3] (25th) |
Gini (2015) | 32.4[4] medium |
HDI (2015) | ![]() very high · 26th |
Currency | Euro (€)b (EUR) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Date format | dd/mm/yyyy (AD) |
Driving side | right |
Calling code | +39c |
ISO 3166 code | IT |
Internet TLD | .itd |
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Italy (Italian: Italia [iˈtaːlja]) is a country in Southern Europe with small island territories in North Africa. It is a member of the European Union. Its official name is the Italian Republic (Italian: Repubblica Italiana). The Italian flag is green, white and red. Italy is a democratic republic.
Italy is a founding member of the European Union.[7] In 2022, Italy's president is Sergio Mattarella. Its prime minister is Giorgia Meloni. Italy is also a member of the G7, as it has the eighth largest gross domestic product in the world.
Italy has become famous for its wine and food. Some foods are different between regions. Famous dishes include various types of pasta, pizza, and grapes. Olives are also often used.
Before 1861, Italy was made up of smaller kingdoms and city-states.
The country's capital, Rome, is one of the most famous cities in the world. It was the capital of the Roman Empire. Other famous cities in Italy include Venice, Naples, Turin, Genoa, Florence, Palermo, and Milan.