English
Español
中文
हिन्दी
Français
Italy
Repubblica Italiana
Declare Your Relationship to Italy
CountryReports Community
- Studying12
- From Italy3
- Italy heritage4
- Visited3
- Want to visit8
Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
Italians living in the warmer south enjoy a leisurely life and take their time to accomplish business. In contrast, those in industrialized northern Italy feel more pressure and view time as something not to be wasted.
Television and other media unite regions so their identities, dialects, and traditions are melting into one. Also, as standards of living rise and traditions disappear, social relations suffer and people find less time for one another.
The Art of the Dolce Vita
Get More Customs and Culture
6 more cultural topics for members
Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life
Holidays
Republic Day
7/2Independence
Birth date - Galileo Galilei
2/15Birthday
Birth date - Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer was born in Pisa, Italy on Feb. 15, 1564.
Birthdate - Gioacchino Antonio Rossini
2/29Birthday
Birthdate - Gioacchino Antonio Rossini, Italian composer was born in Pesaro, Italy.
Birth date - Antonio Vivaldi
3/4Birthday
Birth date - Antonio Vivaldi, Italian composer was born in Republic of Venice. [now Venice, Italy] on March 4, 1678.
Birth date - Amerigo Vespucci
3/9Birthday
Birth date - Amerigo Vespucci, Italian explorer, was born in Florence, Italy on March 9, 1454.
Birth date - Leonardo da Vinci
4/15Birthday
Birth date - Leonardo da Vinci, Italian painter and sculptor, was born in Anchiano, Italy, near the town of Vinci on April 15, 1452.
Birth date - Guglielmo Marconi
4/25Birthday
Birth date - Guglielmo Marconi, Italian inventor, was born in Bologna, Italy on April 25, 1874.
Birth date - Florence Nightingale
5/12Birthday
Birth date - Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, was born in Florence, Italy on May 12, 1820.
Birth date - Amedeo Modigliani
7/12Birthday
Birth date - Amedeo Modigliani, Italian artist, was born on July 12, 1884 in Livorno, Italy.
Birth date - Enrico Fermi
9/29Birthday
Birth date - Enrico Fermi, Nobel Prize-winning physicist was born in Rome, Italy on Sept. 29, 1901.
Birth date - Giuseppe Verdi
10/10Birthday
Birth date - Giuseppe Verdi, Italian composer, was born on Oct. 10, 1813 in Roncole, Italy.
Birth date - Carlo Lorenzini (Carlo Collodi)
11/24Birthday
Birth date - Carlo Lorenzini (Carlo Collodi), Italian author of Pinocchio, was born in Florence, Italy on Nov. 24, 1826
Birth date - Giacomo Puccini
12/22Birthday
Birth date - Giacomo Puccini, Italian composer, was born Dec. 22, 1858 in Lucca, Italy.
Christmas -- Natale
12/25Christmas
The First Manger scene was made in Italy by St. Francis of Assisi so that others might worship the infant Jesus. The Italian manger scene is calledpresepio. The presepio remains empty until Christmas eve. On Christmas eve the family gathers and places the Christ child in the manger, They sing songs and have prayers.
Italians begin the holiday season on the first Sunday of Advent.
Novena is the period of nine days before Chrismas.
Dates of Interest
- The Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of Martedi Grasso (Mardi Gras)
Carnevale de Ivrea – Battaglia delle Arance The Carnival in Ivrea is filled with pageantry and symbolism, history, and tradition. Parades start early in January and continue each Sunday with all the accompanying music, exquisite costumes, and colorful banners. Customary food is served and there are fireworks at night. On the Sunday before Martedi Grasso (Mardi Gras) the excitement escalates. History mingles with legend as participants re-enact the story of Violetta, a newly married bride whom the local baron sought to despoil on her wedding night. Instead of allowing him to have his way with her, the Mugnaia (the miller’s daughter) removed the baron’s head and set fire to the castle, inciting the townspeople to revolt against the feudal system that kept them starving and oppressed. Though Violetta’s story is a medieval one (occurring in 1194), it has been faithfully portrayed every year since 1858 and the spirit of liberty and vitality has not been lost over time. Nowadays, the Mugnaia leads a parade, throwing yellow flowers and candies to the crowds. Dozens of open horse-drawn carts are filled with “guards” wearing masks resembling armor. “Commoners” mass in the streets, on foot, and with no protection. The battle is staged. Beans were the ammunition in the first symbolic revolt, an act of disdain for the small terra cotta pots of beans offered to poor families once a year. But as the battle moved through the streets, maidens began tossing oranges over balcony railings in an attempt to get the attention of certain young men passing below, and soon the young men were throwing them back. Oranges became the weapon of choice and hundreds of tons are now trucked into town for the annual event. Juice and pulp are everywhere along the parade route and pile up in the town squares where the battles are fierce. Eventually, snow removal equipment is brought in to push the remains aside! In 1947, the free for all became more organized. Rules were set and thousands of “townspeople” were organized into nine competitive teams representing different sections of the city. Visitors are welcome to unite with one of these teams, purchase the coinciding uniform, and join the common folk of Ivrea in their struggle for freedom. Onlookers may gather behind special nets and wear the “Phrygian Cap,” a red, stocking-like hat that shows support for the revolt and aspiration for liberty. Wearing this “berretto frigio” indicates you are not to be a target and should ensure you won’t receive a battle bruise, but it doesn’t guarantee you won’t get splattered. On Tuesday awards are given to the top teams (both guards and villagers) recognizing them for things like accuracy, uniforms or trappings, fair play, and preparation. Earlier in the Carnival a newly married couple from each of the five districts used a pick and spade to erect a Scarlo (a pole covered with juniper and heather bushes) in their neighborhood square. Now, as Carnivale comes to an end, the Abba (two children in each quarter, dressed in elegant Renaissance costumes) parade around their Scarlo and set it ablaze. Mugnaia raises her sword to the sky, a grand gesture of freedom from tyranny. If the flames travel up the Scarlo fast and bright, the crowd will cheer and chant. It is the omen of a good year ahead. Finally, as the flames die down, the crowd becomes quiet. The Pipes and Drums play one last song--a funeral march. The Generale dismounts and leads the last procession. The officers allow their swords to drag along the paving stones and the people follow in solemn silence. The last bit of pageantry ends with a final farewell as everyone exchanges the traditional “Arvedze a giobia a ‘n bot,” "We'll see each other [at Carnival next year] on Thursday at one.”
How do people greet each other in Italy?
The handshake is the most common greeting, and guests are always introduced first. Good friends may greet with a kiss on both cheeks.
Do
- Introduce guests first
- Shake hands as the standard greeting
- Kiss both cheeks with good friends
Good to know
- People of the same gender often walk arm in arm in public
What are the dining customs in Italy?
Meals are unhurried and can last one to four hours; lunch around 1 p.m. is the main meal, with a light breakfast and a light dinner in the evening. The continental style of eating is used.
Do
- Wait for hosts to sit and to begin eating before you do
- Keep your hands above the table during the meal
- Compliment the home and the meal
- Give some attention to the children in the family
Don’t
- Don't put your hands in your lap at the table
- Don't stretch at the table, even after the meal
- Don't leave the table before everyone is finished
- Don't volunteer to help clean up
Good to know
- Place utensils parallel on the plate when finished
- Wine is common at meals; pasta is usually served before the main course
- Veal is a favorite meat and cheese (ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan) is important
What etiquette should I know when visiting an Italian home?
Italians enjoy visiting friends, family, and neighbors, especially on holidays and Sundays, and guests typically bring a small gift.
Do
- Bring a bottle of good wine, a box of chocolates, or flowers for the host
How should I dress in Italy?
Italy is a major fashion center and Italians believe it is important to dress well at all times. Men wear high-quality suits with a designer tie, and women dress in quiet, expensive elegance.
Do
- Dress well wherever you go
- Men: wear fashionable, high-quality suits with a designer tie
- Women: choose elegant, high-quality clothing
- Invest in quality accessories such as sunglasses, watches, belts, and shoes
Don’t
- Don't wear slacks (generally avoided by both sexes)
- Don't wear dark glasses inside buildings
Good to know
- Weekend casual for men is jeans with nice dark shoes and a collared shirt; for women, nice jeans or pants with a nice shirt
- Younger Italians favor simple but high-quality clothes
What should I know about gestures and body language in Italy?
Italians are known for expressive hand gestures during conversation, especially in the south, where hands are often used instead of words.
Do
- Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing
- Men should remove their hats when entering buildings
Don’t
- Don't remove your shoes in the presence of others
How important is family in Italy?
Strong, traditional ties bind the Italian family together and family association is of great importance, though a faster pace of life is affecting the extended family.
Good to know
- With more family members working, fewer families can care for their elderly members
What do Italians do for recreation?
Italy is a nation of soccer (calcio) enthusiasts, and Italians also enjoy cycling, Formula 1 racing, bocce, and card games.
Good to know
- Sunday afternoon league soccer games are widely watched in bars and homes
- The Giro d'Italia is the most important cycling event, covering 2,750 km of alpine terrain
- Formula 1 fans cheer for the Ferrari team
- Bocce is the Italian version of lawn bowling; card games include briscola, scopa, and tombola
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Italy
Photos of Italy
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Currency
- 1.07
- Time Difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Italy's climate is generally pleasant. Although summer temperatures can rise into the mid-90s with high humidity, evenings are considerably cooler, allowing people to take to the streets and squares. In the winter, nighttime temperatures often drop to freezing, but snowfall outside the mountains is rare. In all seasons, the south tends to be warmer and drier than the north.
- Airports
- 130
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
Insalata Caprese
Appetizer
Appetizer
Insalata Caprese
Main Dish
Angel Hair With Balsamic Tomatoes
Main Dish
Cannelloni Stuffed with Meat
Main Dish
Baked Lasagne with Meat Sauce
Side Dish
Fusilli alla Mediterranean (Pasta with fresh tomato, capers, basil, olives and shaved pecorino romano)
Side Dish
Sicilian Braised Vegetables
Side Dish
PremiumSpaghetti with Clams
Side Dish
PremiumBaked Seafood Spaghetti
Side Dish
PremiumSpaghetti with Mussels
History
History
Historical Eras
Ancient Italy
800 BCE – 476
Greek colonists established city-states across southern Italy while Etruscans dominated the north and center. Rome rose from a small republic to master of the Mediterranean world, unifying the peninsula and its islands by the third century BCE. At its height, the Roman Empire governed much of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East before collapsing under pressure from Germanic invasions in 476 CE.
Medieval Fragmentation
476 – 1000
The fall of the Western Roman Empire ushered in successive waves of invasion — Visigoths, Huns, Ostrogoths, and Lombards — dismantling Italian political unity. The papacy emerged as a major temporal power in central Italy, establishing the Papal States following Pepin the Short's donation in 756. Rivalry between popes and Holy Roman Emperors made the peninsula a persistent battleground, preventing consolidation under any single authority.
City-States & Renaissance
1000 – 1559
Commercial prosperity gave rise to powerful independent city-states — Florence, Venice, Milan, Genoa, and Naples — each developing distinct political and artistic cultures. The Renaissance, flowering from the 14th through 16th centuries, produced transformative achievements in art, architecture, literature, and humanism under patrons such as the Medici of Florence. The period closed with Spanish Habsburg dominance cemented by the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559.
Foreign Domination
1559 – 1814
Spain, then Austria, exercised hegemony over much of the peninsula, reducing most Italian states to satellites of foreign powers. Napoleon's campaigns briefly reorganized Italy into client republics and kingdoms, and he declared himself emperor of the Italians in 1804, but his abdication in 1814 restored the fragmented patchwork of kingdoms and duchies. These upheavals nonetheless spread Enlightenment ideas and nationalist sentiment that would fuel the Risorgimento.
Risorgimento & Unification
1814 – 1870
A growing nationalist movement, driven by figures such as Giuseppe Mazzini, Count Cavour, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, sought to unite the fragmented Italian states against Austrian and papal authority. A series of wars and popular uprisings culminated in the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 under Victor Emmanuel II of the House of Savoy. Rome was incorporated in 1870 following the withdrawal of French troops, completing territorial unification.
Liberal & Fascist Kingdom
1870 – 1946
Unified Italy functioned as a constitutional monarchy with a gradually expanding parliamentary system, joining the Allies in World War I and gaining northeastern territories from Austria-Hungary. Economic hardship and political instability allowed Benito Mussolini to seize power in 1922, dismantling democratic institutions and establishing a fascist Corporate State allied with Nazi Germany. Defeat in World War II, Allied invasion in 1943, and liberation in 1945 led to a 1946 plebiscite that abolished the monarchy.
Italian Republic
1946 – present
A constituent assembly drafted a republican constitution enacted in 1948, anchoring Italy in parliamentary democracy and Western alliances including NATO and the founding European Economic Community. The postwar economic miracle transformed Italy into a major industrial nation, though political life was marked by frequent government changes, Cold War polarization, and the turbulence of the 1970s 'Years of Lead.' Italy remains a founding member of the European Union and one of the world's largest economies.
Overview
Italy is largely homogeneous linguistically and religiously but is diverse culturally, economically, and politically. Italy has the fifth-highest population density in Europe--about 200 persons per square kilometer (490 per sq. mi.). Minority groups are small, the largest being the German-speaking people of Bolzano Province and the Slovenes around Trieste. Other groups comprise small communities of Albanian, Greek, Ladino, and French origin. Immigration has increased in recent years, however, while the Italian population is declining overall due to low birth rates.
Timeline of Key Events
485
Italy was invaded by Attila the Hun
Italy was invaded by Attila the Hun. Pope Leo I dissuaded Attila from sacking Rome.
553
The old Roman Empire was reunited
The old Roman Empire was reunited by Justinian, the Byzantine emperor.
568
The Lombards invade Italy
The Lombards, a Germanic tribe, invade Italy which is divided into three regions ruled by the Lombards, the Eastern Roman Empire and the Papal States.
572
The Byzantine rule collapses after an attack by the Lombards
The Byzantine rule collapses after an attack by the Lombards.
756
Pepin the Short conquers the Lombards for the popes
Pepin the Short, a Frankish King, conquers the Lombards for the popes.
756
The Papal States were established in central Italy
The Papal States were established in central Italy.
774
The Lombards defeated by Charlemagne
The Lombards defeated by Charlemagne.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Venice is a city in Italy. People there often travel along the city's canals in boats called gondolas.
The Colosseum is the most famous monument of Ancient Rome. Its original name is Flavian Amphitheater. It was started by the Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 76 AD, and completed by his son Titus in 80 AD. The Colosseum was dedicated the year after Vespasian's death by Titus. They celebrated the opening by holding 100 days worth of games there. It was built on the site where Nero had had a huge villa for himself. Vespasian wanted to build something for the people rather than for himself. It got its popular name, the Colosseum, because it was built near where Nero had erected a huge statue, or colossus of himself. It showed him as the god of the sun. It was 100 feet high, and it was the largest gilded bronze statue in antiquity. It was later moved away. It took 24 elephants to move it. All over the empire, Romans enjoyed going to the theater to see concerts and plays, and to the stadium to watch chariot races and the amphitheater to watch bloody sports. Going to the amphitheater (Colosseum) was probably the most popular. Gladiatorial combats, fights with beasts and other fights were held in the Colosseum. The Colosseum was big enough to hold the whole population of a town--as many as 50,000 people would sometimes spend the whole day there watching sports. The games were really bloody and for four centuries, men died as an entertainment for the crowd. Gladiators went to training schools; most of them were slaves and criminals. At first there were fights to the death between wild animals: bear against buffalo, buffalo against elephant, and elephant against rhinoceros. Sometimes there would even be fights between men and tame beasts. These fights were called venationes. The Amphitheater is built of travertine outside, and of tufa and brick in the interior. It had Greek columns decorating the outside, but these did not support the architecture. The Colosseum had a circumference of 527m and it was 50m high. There were 80 entrances, all numbered except for the four main entrances which were wider than the others and were reserved for the Emperor. It was designed so that the crowd could get out in five minutes. The interior was divided into three parts: the arena, the podium, and the cavea. Now more than two-thirds of the original building has been removed and the rows of the seats in the cavea are missing. It is very similar to other amphitheaters except this one is much bigger.
The Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the Cathedral. It's construction began in the August of 1173 and continued (with two long interruptions) for about two hundred years, in full fidelity to the original project, whose architect is still uncertain. In the past, it was widely believed that the inclination of the Tower was part of the project ever since its beginning, but now we know that it is not so. The Tower was designed to be vertical and started to incline during its construction.
The Northern League, a northern separatist party, wants to separate from the south. They would call their new state Padania. The Northern League does not represent the views of all Northerners.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands
- Climate
- Italy's climate is generally pleasant. Although summer temperatures can rise into the mid-90s with high humidity, evenings are considerably cooler, allowing people to take to the streets and squares. In the winter, night time temperatures often drop to freezing, but snowfall outside the mountains is rare. In all seasons, the south tends to be warmer and drier than the north.
- Natural Hazards
- regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice
- Current Environmental Issues
- air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
- Italian
- German
- French
Population
- Population
- 58,970,013
- Population: Male/Female
- male: 29,414,065 female: 31,550,866
- Population Distribution
- despite a distinctive pattern with an industrial north and an agrarian south, a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples), attracting larger and denser populations
- Urban Population
- urban population: 72% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.27% annual rate of change
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- 4.316 million ROME (capital), 3.155 million Milan, 2.179 million Naples, 1.802 million Turin, 913,000 Bergamo, 850,000 Palermo
- Nationality Noun
- noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian
- Ethnic Groups
- Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north, Albanian-Italians, Croat-Italians, and Greek-Italians in the south)
- Language Note
- Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area), Croatian (in Molise)
Education
- Literacy Definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
The school system in Italy is free to all children. Textbooks are free for primary school, but students must buy their books beginning with the secondary level of school at age 12. The teachers are motivated to be good instructors, and the classes are about the same size as most classes in the United States, averaging about 25 students per class in primary school, and 21 students in secondary school.
Italian schools try very hard to keep up with the latest technologies. An important part of their courses includes instruction in both general technology as well as information technology, which focuses on ways to handle modern information, such as with the Internet.
Unlike schools in North America or some other areas of the world, Italian schools do not provide lunch for their students. Instead, children return home to eat in the early afternoon. Throughout Italy, the midday meal is the main family meal.
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- total population: 83.7 years male: 81.3 years female: 85.9 years
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 7.65 liters of pure alcohol beer: 1.99 liters of pure alcohol wine: 4.83 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 0.83 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol
- Tobacco Use
- total: 23.1% male: 26.6% female: 19.5%
- Infant Mortality Rate
- total: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- total population: 83.7 years male: 81.3 years female: 85.9 years
- Median Age
- total: 48.4 years male: 47.4 years female: 49.4 years
- Age Structure
- 0-14 years: 11.9% (male 3,699,167/female 3,531,734) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 19,378,160/female 19,958,137) 65 years and over: 23.6% (male 6,336,738/female 8,060,995)
- Infant Mortality Rate
- total: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Italy
- Full Country Name
- Italian Republic
- Local - Long
- Italia
- Local - Short
- Repubblica Italiana
- Former Name
- Kingdom of Italy
Government Structure
- Government Type
- republic
- Legal System
- based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President Sergio MATTARELLA (since 3 February 2015; re-elected for a second term on 29 January 2022) head of government: Prime Minister (referred to in Italy as the President of the Council of Ministers) Giorgia MELONI (since 22 October 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of parliament and three regional representatives per region (for a total of 58 regional delegates) for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 24–29 January 2022 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by parliament election results: Sergio MATTARELLA re-elected president; in the eighth round of voting, he received 759 votes from the electoral college, surpassing the absolute majority threshold required after the first three rounds
- Legislative Branch
- Bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (200 seats following the 2020 constitutional reform that reduced the chamber from 315 seats; members are directly elected using a mixed system combining single-member majority voting and proportional representation; members serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (400 seats, also reduced from 630 seats by the same 2020 reform; members are directly elected using a mixed system; members serve five-year terms); note - the constitutional referendum of September 2020 approved a significant reduction in the size of both chambers, taking effect with the 2022 general elections. Elections: Senate - last held on 25 September 2022 (next to be held in 2027); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 25 September 2022 (next to be held in 2027). Election results: Senate - seats by coalition/party - center-right coalition 115 (Brothers of Italy 26, Lega 30, Forza Italia 18, Us Moderates 2, other 39), center-left coalition 40, Five Star Movement 28, Action-Italia Viva 9, other 8; Chamber of Deputies - seats by coalition/party - center-right coalition 237 (Brothers of Italy 119, Lega 66, Forza Italia 45, Us Moderates 7), center-left coalition 83, Five Star Movement 52, Action-Italia Viva 21, other 7; the center-right coalition led by Giorgia Meloni of Brothers of Italy won a majority, and Meloni was sworn in as Prime Minister in October 2022, becoming Italy's first female head of government.
- Judicial Branch
- Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (composed of 15 judges: one-third appointed by the president, one-third elected by parliament, one-third elected by the ordinary and administrative Supreme Courts)
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25)
- Constitution
- 1-Jan-48
- Independence
- 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870)
- National Holiday
- Republic Day, 2 June (1946)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Rome
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 41 54 N, 12 29 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
by tradition, named after Romulus, one of the legendary founders of the city and its first king
Military
Branches: Italian Armed Forces: Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC)
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy Rome
Via V. Veneto 119/A, Rome, Italy
Telephone: 39-06-46741
Facsimile: 39-06-4674-2217
Email: uscitizensrome@state.gov
U.S. Embassy to the Holy See
Via delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome, Italy
Telephone: 39-06-4674-3428
Facsimile: 39-06-575-8346
U.S. Consulate General Florence
Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci 38, Florence, Italy
Telephone: 39-055-266-951
Facsimile: 399-055-215-550
Email: uscitizensflorence@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Milan
Via Principe Amedeo 2/10, Milan, Italy
Telephone: 39-02-290-351
Facsimile: 39-02-290-35-273
Email: uscitizensmilan@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Naples
Piazza della Repubblica, Naples, Italy
Telephone: 39-081-583-8111
Facsimile: 39-081-583-8275
Email: uscitizensnaples@state.gov
There are U.S. Consular Agents located in the following Italian cities:
Genoa
Via Dante 2, Genoa, Italy
Telephone: 39-010-584-492
Facsimile: 39-010-553-3033
Email: usconsge@libero.it
Palermo
Via Vaccarini 1, Palermo, Italy
Telephone: 39-091-305-857
Facsimile: 39-091-625-6026
Email: uscitizenspalermo@state.gov
Venice
Viale Galileo Galilei 30, Venice, Italy
Telephone: 39-041-541-5944
Facsimile: 39-041-541-6654
Email: uscitizensvenice@state.gov
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Italy possesses one of the world's largest economies, ranking as the third-largest in the European Union and the eighth-largest globally by nominal GDP, with output exceeding $2.1 trillion.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- Euros (EUR)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $1,710,000,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 0.9%
- Gini Index
- 36
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
The Most Outdated Piece of Italy Travel Advice, According to a Longtime Resident—and What You Should Do Instead - Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure · 15h ago
Dutch father’s body found in Lake Como, Italy, after he jumped in to save son - NL Times
NL Times · 23h ago
Pirlo Drops Out Of Italy Coaching Race After Russia Links Backlash - Yahoo
Yahoo · 5m ago
Concerned for her kids’ safety, she traded the hustle of Las Vegas for life on a sleepy Italian island - CNN
CNN · 1d ago
Dear Annie: We invited relatives to visit us in Italy. They’re using trip to proselytize for their church - oregonlive.com
oregonlive.com · 3h ago
Andrea Pirlo says he won't coach Italy amid betting ties to UAE club - ESPN
ESPN · 3h ago
Italy was once a model of healthy eating - now it has a child obesity problem - BBC
BBC · 1d ago
Wildfires force mass evacuations across Spain, France, Italy - USA Today
USA Today · 34m ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Italy's climate is generally pleasant. Although summer temperatures can rise into the mid-90s with high humidity, evenings are considerably cooler, allowing people to take to the streets and squares. In the winter, nighttime temperatures often drop to freezing, but snowfall outside the mountains is rare. In all seasons, the south tends to be warmer and drier than the north.
Videos
Videos
2 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Italy?
How do people greet each other in Italy?
What are the dining customs in Italy?
What etiquette should I know when visiting an Italian home?
How should I dress in Italy?
What should I know about gestures and body language in Italy?
How important is family in Italy?
What do Italians do for recreation?
What is the capital of Italy?
Where is Italy located?
What countries border Italy?
What is the predominant religion in Italy?
What currency does Italy use?
What language is spoken in Italy?
What is the geography of Italy like?
What is Italy known for?
Last reviewed 2026