Italy

Italy is located in southern Europe, at the center of the Mediterranean. The country has one of the world’s largest economies, with a GDP per capita of $33,000, a population of 60.7 million, and a [Page 686]total surface area of 301,000 square kilometers (or 116,000 mi2). Italy has about 7,500 kilometers of coastline, two major islands (Sicily and Sardinia), and about 70 other small islands.

Image 1 The historical Piazza del Duomo, pictured here at night, is located in the heart of Florence. Italy is consistently among the top five most visited destinations in the world.

Source: Richard Wilkie

Italy’s natural and man-made resources are quite diverse, thanks to its peculiar geographical position. Its long, boot-shaped peninsula can be divided in three main areas. In the northern part, ...