Italy
Political system: Republic
Capital city: Rome
Total area: 301 263 km²
Population: 60 million
Currency: euro
Official EU language: Italian
Italy is mainly mountainous, except for the Po plain in the north, and runs from the Alps to the central Mediterranean Sea. It includes the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Elba and about 70 other smaller ones. There are two small independent states within peninsular Italy: the Vatican City in Rome, and the Republic of San Marino.
Italy has a two-chamber parliament, consisting of the Senate (Senato della Repubblica) or upper house and the Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati). Elections take place every five years.
The country’s main economic sectors are tourism, fashion, engineering, chemicals, motor vehicles and food. Italy’s northern regions are per capita amongst the richest in Europe.
The centre of the vast Roman Empire which left a huge archaeological, cultural and literary heritage, the Italian peninsula saw the birth of medieval humanism and the Renaissance. This further helped to shape European political thought, philosophy and art via figures like Machiavelli, Dante, Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo.
The list of famous Italian artists is long and includes Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Tintoretto and Caravaggio. The country has also produced opera composers such as Verdi and Puccini and film-maker Federico Fellini.
Italian cuisine is one of the most refined and varied in Europe, from the piquant flavours of Naples and Calabria to the pesto dishes of Liguria and the cheese and risotto dishes of the Italian Alps.
Study
Italy has played an important role in European higher education: it is one of the four countries that first engaged to create the so-called “European Area of Higher Education” (Sorbonne Declaration, May 1998), thus starting that type of higher education reform which, known as “Bologna Process” (Bologna Declaration, June 1999) is being implemented all over Europe.
Today Italy ranks among the 8 most industrialised countries in the world. Alongside some big companies, both state-owned and private, it has developed a sound network of small and medium-sized undertakings, promoted a few scientific parks, and is incentivating basic and applied research in a great variety of fields (biology, ICT, medicine, physics, etc.).
Work
Italy benefits from its position in Central Europe. Since its adhesion to the Europe, the market place is growing up quickly and offer great opportunities in the Capital, Rome. Fashion and engineering are some of the most fruitful career choices in the country.
Accommodation
Italy has many historic sites and is full of culture. If you want further information on accommodation visit http://www.metroroommates.com/state_rentals/italy_rentals.asp. Alternatively view the accommodation provided by the university you choose to study.
Experiences in Italy:
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For a European Country Overview – Work Click here
For a European Country Overview – Study Click here
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Sources:
http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries
