Land

The country's total area is 301,230 square kilometres (116,306 sq mi), of which 294,020 km2 (113,522 sq mi) is land and 7,210 km2 (2,784 sq mi) is water. Including the islands, Italy has a coastline and border of 7,600 kilometres (4,722 miles) on the Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian seas (740 km (460 mi).
To the north the Alps separate Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Elsewhere Italy is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, in particular by the Adriatic Sea to the northeast, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the southwest, and the Ligurian Sea to the northwest. Areas of plain, which are practically limited to the great northern triangle of the Po valley, cover only about one-fifth of the total area of the country; the remainder is roughly evenly divided between hilly and mountainous land, providing variations to the generally temperate climate.

Relief

Mountain occupy more than one-third of Italy. There are two mountain systems: the scenic Alps, parts of which lie within the neighbouring countries of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia; and the Apennines, which form the spine of the entire peninsula and of the island of Sicily. A third mountain system exists on the one large island to the west, Sardinia.

The Alps run in a broad west-to-east arc from the Cadibona Pass, near Savona on the Gulf of Genoa, to north of Trieste, at the head of the Adriatic Sea.

The Apennines are the long system of mountains and hills that run down the Italian peninsula from the Cadibona Pass to the tip of Calabria and continue on the island of Sicily. The range is about 1,245 miles (2,000 km) long; it is only about 20 miles (32 km) wide at either end but about 120 miles (190 km) wide in the Central Apennines, east of Rome, where the “Great Rock of Italy” (Gran Sasso d’Italia) provides the highest Apennine peak (9,554 ft [2,912 m]) and the only glacier on the peninsula, Calderone, the southernmost in Europe.

Drainage

Four different seas surround the Italian Peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea from three sides: the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea in the south, and the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west.
Most of rivers of Italy drain either into the Adriatic Sea, such as the Po, Piave, Adige, Brenta, Tagliamento, and Reno, or into the Tyrrhenian, like the Arno, Tiber and Volturno. The waters from some border municipalities (Livigno in Lombardy, Innichen and Sexten in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol) drain into the Black Sea through the basin of the Drava, a tributary of the Danube, and the waters from the Lago di Lei in Lombardy drain into the North Sea through the basin of the Rhine.
In the north of the country are a number of subalpine moraine-dammed lakes, the largest of which is Garda (370 km2 or 143 sq mi). Other well known of these subalpine lakes are Lake Maggiore (212.5 km2 or 82 sq mi), whose most northerly section is part of Switzerland, Como (146 km2 or 56 sq mi), one of the deepest lakes in Europe, Orta, Lugano, Iseo, and Idro. Other notable lakes in the Italian peninsula are Trasimeno, Bolsena, Bracciano, Vico, Varano and Lesina in Gargano and Omodeo in Sardinia.

Climate

Geographically, Italy lies in the temperate zone. Because of the considerable length of the peninsula, there is a variation between the climate of the north, attached to the European continent, and that of the south, surrounded by the Mediterranean. The Alps are a partial barrier against westerly and northerly winds, while both the Apennines and the great plain of northern Italy produce special climatic variations. Sardinia is subject to Atlantic winds and Sicily to African winds.

The coastal areas of Liguria, Tuscany and most of the South generally fit the Mediterranean climate stereotype. Conditions on peninsular coastal areas can be very different from the interior's higher ground and valleys, particularly during the winter months when the higher altitudes tend to be cold, wet, and often snowy. The coastal regions have mild winters and warm and generally dry summers, although lowland valleys can be quite hot in summer.
Average winter temperatures vary from 0 °C (32 °F) on the Alps to 12 °C (54 °F) in Sicily, like so the average summer temperatures range from 20 °C (68 °F) to over 25 °C (77 °F).
Winters can vary widely across the country with lingering cold, foggy and snowy periods in the north and milder, sunnier conditions in the south.
Summers can be hot and humid across the country, particularly in the south while northern and central areas can experience occasional strong thunderstorms from spring to autumn

Business

Italy has a major advanced capitalist mixed economy, ranking as the third-largest in the Eurozone and the eighth-largest in the world. A founding member of the G7, the Eurozone and the OECD, it is regarded as one of the world's most industrialised nations and a leading country in world trade and exports. It is a highly developed country, with the world's 8th highest quality of life in 2005 and the 26th Human Development Index. The country is well known for its creative and innovative business, a large and competitive agricultural sector (with the world's largest wine production), and for its influential and high-quality automobile, machinery, food, design and fashion industry.

Italy is the world's sixth largest manufacturing country, characterised by a smaller number of global multinational corporations than other economies of comparable size and a large number of dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises, notoriously clustered in several industrial districts, which are the backbone of the Italian industry. This has produced a manufacturing sector often focused on the export of niche market and luxury products

The private sector was once characterized by a multitude of small companies, many of which were family-run and employed few or no workers outside the family. In the early 21st century, businesses with fewer than 50 employees still represented more than half of total firms, reflecting a trend that showed a decline in large production units and an increase of smaller, more-specialized ones. This trend was especially pronounced in the automobile industry, textiles, electrical goods, and agricultural, industrial, and office equipment.

Agriculture

According to the last national agricultural census, there were 1.6 million farms in 2010 covering 12.7 million hectares (63% of which are located in Southern Italy). Of the total surface area in agricultural use (forestry excluded), grain fields take up 31%, olive tree orchards 8.2%, vineyards 5.4%, citrus orchards 3.8%, sugar beets 1.7%, and horticulture 2.4%. The remainder is primarily dedicated to pastures (25.9%) and feed grains (11.6%). Italy is the world's biggest wine producer, and one of the leading in olive oil, fruits (apples, olives, grapes, oranges, lemons, pears, apricots, hazelnuts, peaches, cherries, plums, strawberries and kiwifruits), and vegetables (especially artichokes and tomatoes).

The most famous Italian wines are probably the Tuscan Chianti and the Piedmontese Barolo. Other famous wines are Barbaresco, Barbera d'Asti, Brunello di Montalcino, Frascati, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Morellino di Scansano, and the sparkling wines Franciacorta and Prosecco. Quality goods in which Italy specialises, particularly the already mentioned wines and regional cheeses, are often protected under the quality assurance labels DOC/DOP. This geographical indication certificate, which is attributed by the European Union, is considered important in order to avoid confusion with low-quality mass-produced ersatz products.

Tourism

Italy is the fifth most visited country in the world, with a total of 52.3 million international arrivals in 2016. The total contribution of travel & tourism to GDP (including wider effects from investment, the supply chain and induced income impacts) was EUR 162.7bn in 2014 (10.1% of GDP) and generated 1,082,000 jobs directly in 2014 (4.8% of total employment). Italy is well known for its cultural and environmental tourist routes and is home to 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the most in the world.[219] Rome is the 3rd most visited city in Europe and the 12th in the world, with 9.4 million arrivals in 2017 while Milan is the 27th worldwide with 6.8 million tourists.[220] In addition, Venice and Florence are also among the world's top 100 destinations. Italy's most-visited landmarks include e.g. Coloseum and Roman Forum, Pompeii, Uffizi Gallery, Galleria dell'Accademia, Castel Sant'Angelo, Boboli Garden, Venaria Reale, Turin Egyptian Museum, the Borghese Gallery, the Royal Palace of Caserta, Cenacolo Vinciano Museum, Villa d'Este, Pitti Palace, the Excavations of Hercolaneum, Naples National Archaeological Museum, the Medici Chapels, Ostia Antica Excavations and Museum, la Grotta Blu, Venice National Archaeological Museum, Lake Como and Pinacoteca di Brera.

Taxation

Taxation in Italy is levied by the central and regional governments and is collected by the Italian Agency of Revenue (Agenzia delle Entrate). Total tax revenue in 2012 was 44.4% of the GDP. The total tax receipts in 2013 were € 782 billion. The most important revenue sources are income tax, social security, corporate tax and value added tax, which are all applied at the national level. Personal income taxation in Italy is progressive.

Employment income is subject to a progressive income tax, IRPEF (Imposta sul reddito delle persone fisiche) applying to all workers.
Every region has a different tax addition (between 1,23% and 3,33%) and communal addition (up to 0,8%). Individuals are considered resident for tax purposes if for the greater part of the tax year they satisfy any of the following conditions: their habitual abode is in Italy, the centre of their vital interests is located in Italy, or they are registered at the Office of Records of the Resident Population in Italy.

Corporation Tax
Italian corporate entities are subject to Corporate Income Tax, IRES (Imposta sul reddito delle società) and to Regional Production Tax, IRAP (Imposta regionale sulle attività produttive).
Some corporations are exempted from corporate tax, such as charitable foundations, church institutions and sports clubs. The standard rate of regional tax (IRAP) is 3.9%, although regional authorities may increase or decrease the standard rate by up to 0.92%. In addition, different IRAP rates may apply to different sectors of the economy in different regions (for instance, the rate for banks and other financial institutions is 5.57% in Abruzzo, Apulia, Lazio, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto, but only 4.65% in Emilia-Romagna). The tax is calculated differently from IRES, adding the cost of fixed-term workers (before 2016 the cost of every employee was counted). Up to 10% of regional tax (IRAP) is deductible in calculating the tax base for corporate income tax (IRES) purposes.

Value added tax: IVA
Value added tax or VAT (Imposta sul valore aggiunto, IVA) is a consumption tax charged at a standard rate of 22%.[4] Reduced VAT rates apply at 10% for listed pharmaceuticals, passenger transport that is not specifically exempted, admission to cultural and entertainment events, hotels, restaurants and 4% on certain foodstuffs, medical and books. The Italian VAT regime is part of the European Union value added tax system.

Social security: INPS
Social security contributions (Istituto nazionale della previdenza sociale - INPS) apply to everyone in the workforce. Employers withhold 9.19% of the employee's wage and the employer contributes 34.08% of gross pay.
Self-employed individuals must enroll with the Gestione Separata INPS, unless other specific rules apply (for example, certain professionals, such as lawyers, engineers and accountants, are required by law to enroll in specified pension plans). The contributions to the INPS are calculated at a flat rate ranging from 18% to 27.72% on annual income up to a maximum income of €96,149 in 2012.

Security and safety

There are two police forces in Italy with general duties: the Polizia de Stato (“State Police”), which is under the authority of the minister of the interior, and the Carabinieri, a corps of the armed forces that reports to both the minister of the interior and the minister of defense. The functions of the police are the prevention, suppression, and investigation of crimes. All functions are performed by both police forces.

The Guardia di Finanza, (English: Financial Guard) is a corps under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance, with a role as police force. The Corps controls financial, economic, judiciary and public safety. The Polizia Penitenziaria (Prison Guards, literally Penitentiary Police) operate the Italian prison system and handle the transportation of inmates.

As in any Country, there are some basic safety guidelines… We recommend avoiding isolated or badly lit places, and street gambling. It's a good idea to carry only the money you need for each outing. Be alert in crowded places, such as public transport or department stores. In public parks and other places used for leisure, don't leave objects such as mobile phones or cameras unattended. Don't forget an expert tip on public safety: prevention is the best way to avoid this kind of problem.

For every emergency it is possible to call the telephone number 112

Education and Academies

Education

Education is compulsory only for those age 6 to 14 years. The school system begins with kindergarten for the 3- to 6-year-olds. Primary schools are attended by children between the ages of 6 and 11, at which stage most go on to secondary schools for 11- to 14-year-olds, but those wishing to study music go directly to the conservatories.

Postsecondary schooling is not compulsory and includes a wide range of technical and trade schools, art schools, teacher-training schools, and scientific and humanistic preparatory schools. Pupils from these schools can then continue their education attending either non-university- or university-level courses.

At the beginning of the 21st century, more than one-third of the population had a high school diploma, about one-third had a junior high school diploma, and more than one-tenth had obtained a college degree.

University

Tertiary education in Italy is divided between public universities, private universities and the prestigious and selective superior graduate schools, such as the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. 20 Italian universities were ranked among the world's top 500. Bologna University, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in continuous operation, as well as one of the leading academic institutions in Italy and Europe.

The Bocconi University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, LUISS, Polytechnic University of Turin, Polytechnic University of Milan, Sapienza University of Rome, and University of Milan are also ranked among the best in the world.

Health

Italy is known for its generally very good health system, considering the fact that it has the world's 6th highest life expectancy in 2015 (according to World Health Organization, relatively healthy cuisine and diet, and healthcare system that is ranked 2nd according to World Health Organization and which has the third best medical performance worldwide.

Italy possesses an extensive social security and welfare system that provides coverage for the great majority of the population.

The public National Health Service (S.S.N. “Servizio Sanitario Nazionale”) operates through a network of Local Health Units (ASL – Aziende Sanitarie Locali, about 197 all over the country) and hospitals (Aziende Ospedaliere) at a regional or national level located throughout the country. With the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale most care is free or low-cost, including consults with a general physician, hospital visits, lab work, and medications. However, each region is responsible for managing its own care, so expect differences between regions and carefully research the specific region you want to retire in.

Though costs vary based on a number of factors including region and whether you have private insurance or not, expats report costs as reasonable. One expat couple based in the south reports paying just $ 236 per year to cover their health insurance. And hospital visits are reportedly free in urgent cases. In non-urgent cases, a small co-pay may be expected.

For over-the-counter medications in Italy, you’ll need to visit a pharmacy. These are standalone shops. Look for the large green cross (often lit up) and you’ll find your nearest pharmacy. Pharmacists in Italy are used to consulting with patients, so if you aren’t sure what kind of medication you need or what the equivalent of an American brand is here in Italy, ask the pharmacist. In general, you’ll find many of them speak English very well.

Medical care for EU member state

European citizens requiring urgent or unforeseen health treatment during a temporary stay in Italy can obtain health treatments from the SSN by presenting a Community certificate (the most common of which is the European Health Insurance Card – EHIC).

Medical care for non EU member state

Daily life and social customs

In general, Italians try to reconcile work with private life, reserving enough time for family and private interests. In the private sector, Italians tend to work long hours. A typical week’s working hours is from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm, from Monday to Friday.
Frequently, you can find people still at work after 6.00 pm. This is especially true for managers who tend to take work home for the weekend or stay longer at the office.

In the public sector, typical working hours are from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm from Monday to Saturday. However, many public offices compensate for being closed on Saturday with a couple of working afternoons.

According to this schedule, a morning meeting can easily be scheduled at 9.30, a late morning appointment can be placed at 11.00 – 12.00 am and an after lunch meeting can be arranged around 2.30 – 3.00 pm.

Lunch breaks are normally kept to a minimum especially in large cities. Occasionally, however, lunches with your Italian business partners can be quite sophisticated and long lasting. In such cases, lunches are used to build/reinforce a personal relationship – especially during first meetings.

Summer holidays are usually taken during August, when most large industries are closed. The second choice is July. Consider this when planning a meeting or trying to contact a company during the summer. The period between Christmas, New Year Day and the Epiphany is also characterised by reduced business activity.

Food and drink

Italian food remains determinedly regional. Northern Italian cuisine includes the butter-, cream- and truffle-rich cooking of the French-influenced northwest, the Tyrolean ham, sausage and dumplings of the northeast, and the light basil, fish and pinenut dishes of Liguria. Food in central Italy is characterized by the hearty wood-roasted steaks of rural Tuscany and the black truffles, hams and salamis of Umbria, while in traditional trattorias of Rome, offal reigns supreme. Continuing south, the classic vegetables of the Mediterranean take over, and the predominant meat is lamb (spit-roast and scented with wild herbs) while traditional dishes based around pulses and wild greens belie the recent poverty of the region. Finally, across the Messina Straits to Sicily, history is enshrined in rich, fragrant dishes such as aubergine caponata, fish couscous, and almond-milk- and jasmine-scented granitas, the abiding legacy of Arab rule.

Most Italians start their day in a bar, their breakfast (prima colazione) consisting of a coffee and a brioche or cornetto – a croissant often filled with jam, custard or chocolate, which you usually help yourself to from the counter and eat standing at the bar.
Traditionally, lunch (pranzo) and dinner (cena) start with antipasto (literally “before the meal”), a course consisting of various cold cuts of meat, seafood and vegetable dishes, The next course, the primo, involves soup, risotto or pasta, and is followed by the secondo – the meat or fish course, usually served alone, except for perhaps a wedge of lemon or tomato. Vegetables or salads – contorni – are ordered and served separately. Afterwards, you nearly always get a choice of fresh local fruit (frutta) and a selection of desserts (dolci).

Pizza is a worldwide phenomenon, but Italy remains the best place to eat it.

Aperitivo Ritual is without doubt one of the most fun food experiences you can try in Italy. It consists of a pre-dinner drink accompanied by some salty snacks and, of course, friends to chat with. Apéritivo comes from the Latin verb “aperire”, which means “to open.” It usually involves a beverage served before a meal to stimulate the appetite. From the traditional bar to the Tuscan “Vinaio” and from amazing hotel rooftop terraces to historical cafes, Italy offers countless spots to enjoy this social and tasty ritual.

Sports and recreation

Football is by far Italy's most popular sport. Nearly all large and mediumsize cities have a team in one of the three professional divisions. In addition to its popularity as a spectator sport, football is played by most Italians. Games at the village, city, and district levels are accompanied by intense competition. Italians also enjoy bicycle and motorcycle racing, basketball, boxing, tennis, and downhill skiing.

Basketball, volleyball, and cycling are the next most popular/played sports, with Italy having a rich tradition in all three. Italy also has strong traditions in swimming, water polo, rugby union, tennis, athletics, fencing and Formula One.

Football in Italy

Football is the most popular sport in Italy. The Italian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup four times (1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006), trailing only Brazil (with 5) and level with Germany (with 4). Serie A clubs have seen success in the Champions League (formerly the European Cup), the premier European club competition, winning it twelve times.
The Italian word for soccer is calcio, "kick", taken from the name of Italy's traditional football games, as opposed to being adapted from the English name football or soccer, as in most other languages. Often, Italian children can be seen playing on the street with friends and relatives.

Walking and Cycling in Italy

Italy's multi-faceted landscapes provide the ideal backdrop to the perfect walking or cycling holiday in Italy. Explore picturesque villages perched on Tuscan Hills, challenge yourself on an adventure amongst the limestone peaks of the Dolomites, or enjoy a fine wine whilst looking out over the Mediterranean on the Amalfi Coast.
Self guided walking or cycling holidays in Italy are the perfect way to discover the food, wine, churches, culture and people as you wander or peddle, at your own pace, through an unmatched landscape.
The Giro d'Italia is a world-famous long-distance cycling race held every May, and constitutes one of the three Grand Tours, along with the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, each of which last approximately three weeks. Two of the five 'Monuments', the oldest and most prestigious one-day races on the cycling calendar, are located in Italy: Milan–San Remo, held in March, and Giro di Lombardia, held in September or October.

Water sports in Italy

Given Italy’s climate, the length of the coastline and the large lakes in the north, it will come as no surprise to discover that watersports are popular in Italy.
Sailing ( vela) in yachts and dinghies is popular throughout Italy, where even small coastal towns often have a marina. Dinghy sailing is also popular on the major lakes, particularly Lake Garda, which often provides better wind conditions than the smaller lakes.
Scuba diving is well established in Italy, where it developed under the auspices of the Italian Federation of Divers. Some of the best scuba diving ( immersioni or subacquee, often shortened to sub) in the Mediterranean is in Italian waters and diving is popular almost everywhere along the coast. However, the best diving areas are in the Ligurian Sea; south of Genoa between the Portofino peninsula and the Cinque Terre; and around the Italian islands of Capri, Sardinia and Sicily. The area around the Portofino peninsula has recently been designated a marine nature reserve, with fishing and other activities restricted.
Waterskiing ( sci acquatico) and windsurfing are popular, both along the coast and on inland lakes, particularly Lake Garda, whose northern end (around the Riva del Garda) is noted for its strong winds.

Horse Riding in Italy

Italy has much to offer. Its dreamy light and sumptuous landscapes seem made for romance, and its three millennia of history, culture and cuisine seduces just about everyone particularly horse riders. There is a great deal of variety in the landscape in Italy, although it is characterised predominantly by two mountain chains: the Alps and the Apennines. More than three-quarters of the Italian countryside is hilly or mountainous which is interesting for horse riders.10% of Italy is protected by law and there are 20 National and 130 Regional Parks where you are able to enjoy the benefits of a protected environment so there are large areas of totally unspoilt country in which you can ride.

Skiing in Italy

Italy’s northern borders are delineated by an arc of majestic mountain peaks, including some of the tallest peaks in the Alps in the west and the spectacularly beautiful Dolomites in the east. Winter here often means sun as well as snow, and ski resorts are less about athletic prowess, and more about getting reacquainted with nature, working up your appetite and enjoying mountain life.

Whatever your budget you can count on outstanding food and wine, inspired by some fascinating cultural mixes: Aosta’s French-tinged traditions, the Tyrolean touch in Südtirol-Alto Adige and Slavic accents in Friuli. Children are welcome in even the chicest resort restaurants and kids’ activities and playgrounds are plentiful.

Best off-piste: Courmayeur. Best for foodies: Alta Badia. Best for families: Merano 2000. Best for wilderness: Sella Nevea. Best après-ski: Cortina d'Ampezzo. Best for a weekend away: Sauze d’Oulx (Piemonte). Best for cross-country skiing: Alpe di Siusi