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Italy
Italian Republic
Repubblica Italiana
Political Status: Unified state proclaimed in 1861; republic established by national referendum in 1946; under parliamentary constitution effective January 1, 1948.
Area: 116,303 sq. mi. (301,225 sq. km.).
Population: 56,995,744 (2001C); 58,145,000 (2004E).
Major Urban Centers (2001C): ROME (2,546,804), Milan (1,256,211), Naples (1,004,500), Turin (865,263), Palermo (686,722), Genoa (610,307).
Official Language: Italian (German is also official in Trentino-Alto Adige).
Monetary Unit: Euro (market rate July 1: 2005, 1 euro = $1.21US).
President of the Republic: Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (nonparty); elected by the electoral college on May 13, 1999, and inaugurated on May 18 for a seven-year term, succeeding Oscar Luigi SCALFARO (Italian Popular Party).
President of the Council of Ministers: (Prime Minister): Silvio BERLUSCONI (House of Freedom/Forza Italia); designated by the President on June 9, 2001, and sworn in on ...