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Europe's
kinky over-the-knee boot has it all: popes, painters, polenta,
paramours, poets, political puerility and potentates. Its
three millennia of history, culture and cuisine seduce just
about everyone. In Italy you can visit Roman ruins, gawk at
Renaissance art, stay in tiny medieval hill towns, go skiing
in the Alps, explore the canals of Venice and see more beautiful
churches than you imagined could exist in one country. Naturally
you can also indulge in the more elementary pleasures of enjoying
good food and wine, improving your wardrobe and seeking out
la dolce vita.
Full
country name: Italian Republic
Area: 301,250 sq km (117,487 sq mi)
Population: 57.6 million
Capital city: Rome (pop 3.6 million)
People: Italian
Languages: standard Italian and numerous dialects, German,
French, Slovene
Religions: 85% Roman Catholic, 5% Jewish and Protestant
Government: Republic
Prime Minister: Silvio Berlusconi
GDP:
US$1.18 trillion
GDP per head: US$20,800
Annual growth: 1.5%
Inflation: 1.8%
Major industries: tourism, engineering, textiles, chemicals,
food processing, motor vehicles, clothing & footwear
Major trading partners: EU (esp. Germany, France, UK, Spain,
Netherlands), USA
Member of EU: yes
Euro zone participant: yes
Italy
Flight from UK
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