Italy

Italy is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe. Italy shares a northen Alpine border with France, Switzerland and Austia. Italy is the home and birthplace of many people and rich cultures, and birthplace of the Renaissance. Italies capital, Rome was the center of Western Civilization, for centuries. Italy, located in Southern Europe is a boot-shaped peninsula. Italy contains the islands Sicily and Sardinia. The peninsula's backbone consists of the Apennine Mountainss, and the Alps form a northern boundry. Italy's largest northern lake is Garda and its 143 square miles. Italy's main river is called the Po. The Po flows from the Alps and dumps into to Adriatic Sea. Italy is also home to a number of vocanoes such as Vulcano and Stromboli. Etna, is the largest active volcano in Europe. Italy is a part of a democratic republic. Executive power is taken care of by a Council of Ministers, which a president leads. Legeslative power rests in the hands of two houses of Parliament, primarily and secondarily the council of ministers. Italy has been a democratic republic since 1946. Italy is the seventh largest economy in the world, as of 2008. North Italy is more industrial run, unlike the southern half of Italy, which is mainly dependand on agriculture and farming. Italy's major weakness is lack of natural resources. Italy is the home of a complex combination of rich cultures. The primary language in Italy is Italian. One thing that Italy is especially known for would have to be its magnificent paintings and works of art.. Many notable artists spent a lot of their days painting and doing art in Italy such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Many of the most famous works of art are in Italy today, like the famous Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. Italian Cuisine has evolved through the centuries and political changes. Italy is most widely known for their cheese and wine. Italy has a highly diverse climate. And can be quite different than the typical Mediterranean Climate depending on location. Northern Italy is mainly a continental climate and classified as humid subtropical. Durning winter, the high altitudes are cold, wet and snowy. The coastal regions have mild winters and hot, dry summers. Italy is a very diverse colorful country with a lot to offer. It is a country filled with beautiful mountains and great wonderful lakes. Italy is a country that has been home and birthplace to plenty of fascinating arts, works and artists. Italy is home of some of the finest cuisine today. Italy is a fine country with rich historical value.