Italy

Italy, officially Italian Republic, is a country located in Southern Europe, with a long peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea. It is surrounded by several islands, including Sicily and Sardinia. The capital of Italy is Rome, known for its rich history, art, and architecture. Italy is famous for its immense cultural and artistic heritage, being the cradle of the Renaissance and home to numerous works of art, monuments, and UNESCO sites. The country is renowned for its cuisine, wine, fashion, and design. Italy has a great variety of landscapes, from the mountains of the Alps and the Apennines to picturesque coasts and beaches. It is also home to many historic cities like Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, Turin and Naples, each with its own unique cultural and historical identity. History: Ancient Rome: Italy was the heart of the Roman Empire, one of the most influential civilizations in history. Rome, the capital, was a center of political, military, and cultural power. The Romans made significant contributions to architecture, engineering, law, and governance. Middle Ages: Italy saw the rise and fall of various city-states, including Venice, Florence, and Genoa, which played key roles in trade, commerce, and art during the Renaissance. Renaissance: Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance, a cultural and artistic movement that began in the 14th century. It produced renowned figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. The Renaissance had a profound impact on art, science, and philosophy. Unification: Italy was unified as a single nation-state in the 19th century under the leadership of figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Count Camillo di Cavour. This period is known as the Risorgimento. World Wars: Italy was involved in both World War I and World War II. After WWII, Italy became a republic and played a key role in the founding of the European Union. Culture: Cuisine: Italian cuisine is famous worldwide, known for dishes like pasta, pizza, risotto, and a wide variety of cheeses. Regional specialties abound, reflecting Italy's diverse culinary heritage. Fashion: Italy is a global fashion hub, with cities like Milan known for their fashion houses and designers, including Versace, Prada, Gucci, and Armani. Music: Italy has a rich musical tradition, including opera composers like Verdi and Puccini. Contemporary Italian music spans various genres, from classical to pop. Language: Italian is the official language, and it's celebrated for its musicality. It's also the language of opera. Festivals: Italy hosts numerous festivals and events, including Venice Carnival, Siena's Palio, and religious processions during Easter. Arts: Renaissance Art: Italy is the birthplace of the Renaissance, which produced iconic works of art such as Leonardo's "Mona Lisa," Michelangelo's "David," and Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus." Baroque Art: The Baroque period saw the emergence of artists like Caravaggio and Bernini, known for their dramatic, emotionally charged works. Architecture: Italy boasts remarkable architecture, from ancient Roman structures like the Colosseum to medieval cathedrals like the Duomo in Florence and Renaissance palaces. Literature: Italian literature has produced great works, including Dante's "Divine Comedy," Petrarch's sonnets, and works by contemporary authors like Italo Calvino. Film: Italy has a strong film tradition with renowned directors like Federico Fellini and Roberto Rossellini. Neorealism and Italian cinema have left a lasting impact on world cinema. Design: Italian design is celebrated globally, with influential movements like the Bauhaus taking inspiration from Italian design principles. Italy's history, culture, and arts have had a profound and enduring influence on the world, making it a captivating destination for travelers and a source of inspiration for artists and thinkers worldwide. Population of Italy from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 60.48 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 60.36 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 59.58 million inhabitants. Capital (Rome): Population in 2020: About 2.8 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Rome: ~2.8 million Milan: ~1.4 million Naples: ~960,000 Turin: ~870,000 Palermo: ~670,000 Genoa: ~580,000 Bologna: ~390,000 Florence: ~380,000 Bari: ~320,000 Catania: ~310,000 List of Regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Piedmont, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Trentino-South Tyrol, Umbria, Aosta Valley, Veneto. GDP in millions of Euros from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About 1,744,700 million Euros. 2019: About 1,789,700 million Euros. 2020: About 1,580,000 million Euros (preliminary estimate). Public deficit in millions of Euros from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About 49,700 million Euros. 2019: About 54,100 million Euros. 2020: About 209,500 million Euros (preliminary estimate). % GDP/government debt ratio from 2018 to 2020: 2018: 134.4%. 2019: 134.6%. 2020: 155.8% (preliminary estimate). Unemployment rate % from 2018 to 2020: 2018: 10.6%. 2019: 9.9%. 2020: 10.4%.