10 Things You Need to Know About Italy! General Information You Need to Know About Italy (2025)

Italy , Europe's gateway to the Mediterranean, is among the most visited countries in the world with both its historical heritage and cultural heritage. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, this unique country attracts millions of tourists every year with its art, cuisine, nature and modern lifestyle. Here is an overview of Italy with the basic information you need to know before traveling:

Which Continent Is Italy Located In?

Italy is located on a peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea in the south of the European continent. The geographical shape of the country is quite characteristic with its "boot" shape.

Capital: Rome

Rome, one of the cities where the heart of history beats, is the capital of Italy and is located in the Lazio region of the country, which consists of 20 administrative regions. With its ancient ruins and cultural structures, Rome is more than just a capital city, it is an open-air museum.

Official Language: Italian

The official language in the country is Italian. However, English is widely used in tourist areas, especially among the young population. This provides great ease of communication for foreign visitors.

Population of Italy: 60.5 Million (2017 Data)

Italy is one of the most populous countries in Europe. According to official data for 2017, its population is around 60.5 million. The dense population is concentrated largely in the northern regions and large cities.

Area of ​​Italy: 301,338 km²

With a surface area of ​​approximately 301,338 square kilometers, Italy is notable for both its mainland lands and large islands such as Sicily and Sardinia.

Italy Time Zone: GMT+2

Italy, located in the GMT+2 time zone, is 1 hour behind Turkey. It is useful to take this time difference into consideration when planning your trip.

Italy Country Code and Telephone Code

For international phone calls, Italy's country dialing code is +39. The internet domain name extension is .it.

Italy's Currency: Euro (€)

As a member state of the European Union, Italy uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. Currency exchange is widespread and accessible throughout the country.

Italy's Form of Government

Modern Italy has been governed by a republican regime since 1946. This date also marks the beginning of the period in which the monarchy ended and a republic was declared by referendum. The years 1946-1993 are called the "First Republic", and after 1993 the "Second Republic".

Italy's Natural Structure and Vegetation

In the north of Italy, in the regions surrounded by the Alps, there are dense forests; as you go south, maquis areas, olive groves and Mediterranean vegetation dominate. This rich natural structure makes the country attractive to visit in all four seasons.

Italy's Economy and Livelihoods

The Italian economy has a multifaceted structure. Agriculture, especially olive production and viticulture, are among the traditional sources of income. However, the country is also one of the European leaders in the tourism sector. In addition, it has a strong economic infrastructure in the textile, food, chemical industry and automotive sectors.