Welcome to Italy
Welcome to Italy
> Geography & climate
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Italy, officially the Italian Republic (“Repubblica Italiana”), Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. Its most prominent feature is its boot-like shape kicking the island of Sicily. This last one, together with Sardinia, represent the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea. Italy also has two independent countries within its borders: the Vatican City, in Rome, and the independent State of San Marino on the north-east coast, the world's smallest country. |
Last Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. Much of Italy is covered by mountains. The Dolomite Mountains, which extend across northernItaly, are part of the Alps mountain range. The Alps extend across the northern Italian border from West to East.The Apennine mountains cut down the centre of Italy, stretching from Northto South, dividing the east and west coasts. The Po Valley, just south of the Alps, is the basin of the Po River. It is fertile farm land. |
Italy is divided into 20 regions:
NORTH
- Trentino-Alto Adige
- Friuli Venezia - Giulia
- Veneto
- Lombardia
- Piemonte
- Liguria
- Valle d’Aosta
- Emilia Romagna
Capital
- Trento
- Trieste
- Venezia
- Milano
- Torino
- Genova
- Aosta
- Bologna
CENTRE
- Toscana
- Umbria
- Abruzzo
- Molise
- Marche
- Lazio
Capital
- Firenze
- Perugia
- L'Aquila
- Campobasso
- Ancona
- Roma
(also capital of Italy)
SOUTH & ISLANDS
- Campania
- Basilicata
- Puglia
- Calabria
- Sicilia
- Sardegna
Capital
- Napoli
- Potenza
- Bari
- Catanzaro
- Palermo
- Cagliari
Climate
TOPMost of the inland northern areas for example Turin, Milan and Bologna, have a continental climate.
The coastal areas of Liguria and most of the peninsula south of Florence generally fit the Mediterranean stereotype.
The coastal areas of the peninsula can be very different from the inland higher altitudes and valleys, particularly during the winter months when the higher altitudes tend to be cold, wet, and often snowy.
The coastal regions have mild winters and warm and generally dry summers, although lowland valleys can be quite hot in summer.
Welcome to Italy
> Population
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In October 2007 the Italian population surpassed 59.8 million. Italy currently has the fourth-largest population and the fifth highest population density in the European Union. The highest density (one-third) is in northern Italy. | |
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The phenomenon of immigration into Italy began relatively late, at the beginning it resulted in migratory flows being partly “diverted” towards southern Europe, with Italy functioning as a transit country for other destinations for a number of years. But then as for the 2007 figures the migratory flow revealed the increased high number of the foreign residents in the country, the 5.8% of the Italian population. |
| In many northern Italian cities such as Milan, Brescia (North-West) or Padua (North-East), the foreign residents represent nearly one-tenth of the local populations or even more. Mainly to this migration flow, in the 2000s the Italian population grows for the first time in years, due to 11.4% of foreign–born new babies. | |
Since the enlargement of the European Union, the most recent migratory flow has been from other EU members states, particularly Eastern Europe, and outside EU increasingly from Asia, replacing North Africa as a major source of migrants. Some 625 thousand Romanians are officially registered as living in Italy, replacing Albanians and Moroccans as the largest ethnic minority group of the whole Italian population.
Wherever there are major migratory flows, there are also illegal entries and residents, but in Italy this phenomenon is especially pronounced. It is estimated that for every legal entry there is an illegal one (50%). Italy attracts an illegal immigration which is greater than that other countries not only due to its frontier, which is quite extensive with respect to its total surface area, but also – and primarily – because of its large underground economy. As of 2007 figures , foreign residents from other EU member states are 52.02% of the total migrant flow, North Africa the 16.17%, Asia the 16.08%, the Americas the 8.5% and sub-Saharan Africa the 7.06%.
Welcome to Italy
> Language
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Italian is the official language of Italy, San Marino and the Vatican City, as well as one of the 3 official languages of Switzerland. Italian also is the second official language in some areas of Istria, Slovenia and Croatia, where an Italian minority lives. Italian is widely used and taught in Monaco and Malta. It is also spoken to a significant extent in France, with over 1.000,000 speakers, mainly in Corsica and in the County of Nice, areas that historically spoke Italian dialects before annexation to France, and in Albania |
Welcome to Italy
> Currency
| The euro (currency sign: €; currency code: EUR) is the official currency of Italy and other 15 out of 27 member states of the European Union (EU). The euro was introduced to world financial markets as an accounting currency on 1 January 1999. Coins and banknotes entered circulation on 1 January 2002. |
EU States with euro currency, known collectively as the Euro zone, are: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. The currency is also used in a further five European countries, with and without formal agreements and is consequently used daily by some 327 million Europeans. |
As of November 2008, with more than €751 billion in circulation (the equivalent of about US$ 953 billion), the euro is the currency with the highest combined value of cash in circulation in the world, having surpassed the U.S. dollar. Based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates of 2008, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and purchasing power parity among the various currencies, the Euro zone is the second largest economy in the world.
Welcome to Italy
> Politics
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Italy has been a democratic republic since 2 June 1946, when the monarchy was abolished by popular referendum. The constitution was promulgated on 1 January 1948. The politics of Italy take place in a framework of a Parliamentary, Democratic Republic, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised collectively by the Council of Ministers, which is led by the President of the Council, in jargon referred to as "premier", "primo ministro" or "prime minister" in English. |
LEGISLATIVE POWER
is vested in the two Houses of Parliament:- the Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati), which has 630 members
- the Senate of the Republic (Senato della Repubblica), comprising 315 elected members and a small number of senators for life.
Legislation may originate in either Houses and must be passed in identical form by a majority in each. Both Houses are elected for a maximum of five years, but they may be dissolved before the expiration of their normal term.
The President of the Italian Republic
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Since May 2006, the President of the Italian Republic is Giorgio Napolitano.
The President serves as a point of connection between the three branches of power: he is elected by the lawmakers, he appoints the executive, and is the president of the judiciary.
The President is also the commander-in-chief of armed forces.
The Prime Minister
TOPSince May 2008, the Prime Minister is Silvio Berlusconi.
He is the leader of the "Forza Italia" political party, a centre-right winged party he founded in 1993. Before the 2008 Italian general elections he announced his intention to establish a new political party, The People of Freedom ("Il Popolo della Libertà"), to be formed by the merging of "Forza Italia" with the National Alliance Party (“Alleanza Nazionale”) and other centre-right parties. His victory in the 2008 general elections paved the way for a fourth mandate in office.
As of January 2009, he is the senior G8 leader, the longest-serving current leader of a G8 country.
More than a politician, Silvio Berlusconi is an entrepreneur, real estate and insurance tycoon, bank and media proprietor and sports team owner. Berlusconi's main company Mediaset comprises three national television channels, which hold approximately half the national viewing audience, and Publitalia, the leading Italian advertising and publicity agency. He also owns Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, the largest Italian publishing house, whose publications include Panorama, one of the most popular news magazines in Italy. He has interests in cinema and home video distribution firms (Medusa and Penta), insurance and banking (Mediolanum) and a variety of other activities. His brother, Paolo Berlusconi, owns and operates Il Giornale, a centre-right newspaper which provides a strong pro-Berlusconi slant on Italy and its politics. Last but not least, Berlusconi also owns the nationally and internationally successful football club AC Milan.
Institutional buildings in Rome.
TOPPalazzo del Quirinale is the Seat of the President of the Italian Republic.
Palazzo Chigi is the seat of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.
Palazzo Montecitorio is the Seat of the Chamber of Deputies.
Palazzo Madama is the seat of the Senate.
Welcome to Italy
> Religion
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Roman Catholicism is by far the largest religion in the country, although since 1984 it is no longer officially the state religion. Fully 87.8% of Italians are Roman Catholic, although only about one-third of these are active members.
Present Constitution confirms that the State of Vatican City, where the Pope Benedetto XVI, Joseph Ratzinger, lives, is recognised by Italy as an independent, sovereign entity. Constitution also provides for freedom of religion, and the government is thought to generally respect this right in practice, not tolerating its abuse, either by government or private action. |
Catholic Church
TOPCatholic Church has a major influence on Italian politics, culture and social development and enjoys some privileges, stemming from its sovereign status and its historical political authority, not available to other faiths.
Any public school provides "hour of religion" courses, though this class is optional and students who do not wish to attend are free to study other subjects. While in the past this instruction involved Catholic priests teaching Catechism, church-selected instructors now may be either lay or religious, and their instruction should include material relevant to non-Catholic faiths.
While most of the population is Roman Catholic there are also significant minorities, which include Protestants, Jews and the Jehovah's Witnesses, forming the second largest denomination among native-born citizens, numbering approximately 400.000.
Other Faiths
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Increasing immigration has led to some anti-immigrant sentiment, to be mainly directed towards the Muslim immigrants as religion has served as an additional factor differentiating them from native-born citizens.
Immigration, both legal and illegal, continues to add large groups of non-Christian residents, mainly Muslims, from North Africa, South Asia, Albania, and the Middle East, who number an estimated one million.
Buddhists number some 40.000 of European origin and 20.000 of Asian origin.
Scientologists claim to have approximately 100.000 members, Waldensians estimate approximately 30.000 members (concentrated mainly in the north-west), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) has approximately 20.000 members.
A Jewish community of approximately 30.000 persons maintains synagogues in 21 cities.
Other significant religious communities include Orthodox churches, small Protestant groups, Japanese Buddhists, the Baha'i Faith, and South Asian Hindus. Recent polls show that approximately 14% of the population consider themselves to be either atheists or agnostics.
Welcome to Italy
> Telephone International Code
Italy International Dialling Code is +39.  |
OUTSIDE ITALY
- To call a land line from abroad dial +39 followed by the area code - INCLUDING THE ZERO - then the phone number.
For Example: to call a land line number in Rome where the area code is 06, dial 0039 06 and then the phone number. - To call a mobile phone from abroad dial +39 followed by the mobile phone number.
For Example: to call the mobile phone number 334 1234567, dial 0039 334 1234567.
IN ITALY
- To call a land line dial the area code followed by the phone number INCLUDING THE ZERO.
For Example: to call a land line number in Rome where the area code is 06, dial 06 and then the phone number. - To call a mobile phone dial the mobile phone number.
For Example: to call the mobile phone number 334 1234567, dial 334 1234567. Please note that the Italian mobile phone numbers doesn’t have the ZERO, either for calling from abroad or in Italy.
Welcome to Italy
> General Safety Rules
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The crime rate is generally low in terms of personal injury although theft and violence has been on the increase as a result of migratory flow. Like the rest of Europe, major cities do have unsafe areas that are best avoided, especially on evenings. |
If you abide by simple common-sense rules, you will have no problem. Here are a few examples:
- Be aware of bag snatchers and pickpockets on public transport, railways and metro stations and in very crowded areas in general.
- Always watch your handbag, briefcase, purse or wallet and keep it close to your front. Men should not keep their wallets in rear trouser pockets.
- Car theft is high, so possibly leave your car in a garage or indoor parking place overnight. When parking on the street, never leave windows open and/or valuable items in view.
- Always lock your car doors when you stop at coffee bars or gas stations on the highways or motorways. The same rules apply when you are driving – and do not put your valuables on front or rear seats unless all doors are locked.
- At supermarkets/shopping malls do not leave your trolley unattended and/or with your bag in.
Welcome to Italy
> Customs & Etiquettes
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Italians consider everything that differs from their own culture a source of interest! They find Americans and neighbours from other northern European countries fascinating and will extend friendship, cordiality and warmth towards most people from overseas. The only exceptions might be the migrants who find it difficult to integrate into Italian society. |
| Italians are open, curious and tolerant of others’ uniqueness and manners. They will tolerate lateness, inefficiency and sincere mistakes, but dislike arrogance and rudeness. |
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There are some customs that are very ‘Italian-specific’ and which probably differ from those in your home country so read on and you will see what we mean.
Meeting & Greetings
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When being introduced during a business or social meeting, shake hands with everyone present – men women and.. children. Shake hands again when leaving. Ladies should extend their hand first to men. Friends may greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks. |
Dining & Entertainment
TOPWelcome to Italy
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- Do not invite yourself at Italian new colleagues or neighbours homes. When invited, always bring, or send, a small gift for the host or hostess. A good bottle of wine and/or flowers (an uneven number, no chrysanthemums which are a symbol of death, no red roses which are symbols of love or passion) will be always appreciated.
- Italians are proud of their homes and love to give tours. Feel free to ask for a tour when invited into someone's home.
- Cocktails are not common in Italy. Drinking without eating is rare. Hard drinking is unusual and not appreciated. Even mild intoxication is considered ill-mannered. Women drink very little.
- Italians do not use bread plates. Break bread and place it next to your plate on the table.
- Roll pasta with your fork on the sides of your pasta plate. Don’t roll pasta on your spoon.
- Keep both hands above the table during dinner - never on your lap. Do not put your elbows on the table.
- Keep your wineglass almost full if you don't want a refill.
- Burping is considered extremely vulgar.
- At the restaurant, ask for your bill when you finish eating. It may not be brought to you until you ask.
- Do not leave the table until everyone is finished.
Especially for Women
- Foreign women can do business without any difficulty. Being a woman may even be considered an advantage in some circumstances.
- Italians are generally not inhibited when interacting with the opposite sex. Flirtation is part of the spirit of life in Italy.
- Do not pour wine if you are a guest. This is considered "unfeminine" by Italians.
In Italy
TOPTipping
Though, restaurant staff can make low salaries, so tipping (10-15%) always is appreciated. Leaving small tips in bars and cafes is more prevalent in Rome and Southern Italy, not in the North.
Taxi
Taxis are expensive and not always the quickest form of transport.
Hailing taxis at the roadside is not easy but there is plenty of taxi ranks in major cities. Tipping taxi drivers is not compulsory though counters’ “round-ups” are appreciated.
Pets
Dress code
Business dress code is formal and colours are sober, especially at meetings.
Smoking
Unmarried partnerships
Homosexuality
Coffee!!
This is a deeply-rooted Italian custom! You’d be surprised by the number of versions of the classic ‘CAFFE’ ESPRESSO’ that people choose to drink in the bars and cafes and these will also vary from region to region – here’s a few:
| Caffè Lungo | An espresso with a little more water |
| Caffè Ristretto | An extra-strong espresso |
| Caffè Doppio | A double espresso |
| Caffè Macchiato caldo or freddo | An espresso with cold or hot milk |
| Caffè Corretto | An espresso with alcohol |
| Caffè Americano | A weaker espresso with more water |
| Caffeè Marocchino | An espresso with chocolate and milk faom |
| Cappuccino | It is usually drunk at breakfast time and maybe mid-morning or afternoon but never after meals |
There are lots more about customs that we could mention here, but we will leave you to find these out for yourselves! TOP
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