Profile of Italy
Italy consists of a leg-shaped peninsula about 700 miles (1,126 kilometers) long in central southern Europe; two large islands, Sicily and Sardinia, in the Mediterranean Sea; and a number of small islands. The total area is 116,000 square miles (301,000 square kilometers). Within peninsular Italy there are two independent states: Vatican City, lying within the boundaries of the city of Rome, and the Republic of San Marino, the oldest state in Europe, situated about 15 miles (24 kilometers) inland from Rimini on the Adriatic coast.
The Alps form the northern boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, while the Apennine chain gives the peninsula its mountainous spine. The main river is the Po in the north which is 400 miles (about 640 kilometers) long. Italy claims territoriality over the seas for 12 miles (20 kilometers).
Italian topography is classified as plains (23.2 percent), hills (41.6 percent) and mountains (35.2 percent). Climatic conditions vary greatly. This is due partly to the distance from the northern frontiers to southern Italy and Sicily and partly to the mountain ranges, which have peaks rising as high as 15,800 feet (4,810 meters). Temperatures normally range from about 14°F (-10°C) in the north during the winter to 104°F (40°C) in the south during the summer. Rainfall is adequate in the central and northern parts of the country, which also have a great deal of fog in the winter. Average rainfall ranges from a maximum of 1,324 millimeters at Cagliari in Sardinia.
There are three active volcanoes: Etna in Sicily, Vesuvius near Naples, and Stromboli on a small island off the west coast of southern Italy.
Population
Italy has a population of 57.5 million. The principal cities are Rome (2.7 million inhabitants), Milan (1.4 million), Naples (1.06 million), Turin (949,000), Palermo (697,000), Genova (662,000), Bologna (396,000) and Florence (393,000).
History and Government
Nearly 2,000 years ago Rome was the center of an empire covering most of the known world – Europe south of the Rhine and the Danube, Great Britain, Romania, the north coast of Africa, and the Middle East. After the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, there was a period of some 500 years of obscurity under barbarian invaders. Italy emerged after the 10th century with the rise of the communes in opposition to monarchical institutions and with the dawning of the Renaissance. This was followed by periods under Spanish, French and Austrian domination.
The unity of Italy was proclaimed in 1861 under the House of Savoy, and by 1918 its sovereignty was extended to something more than its present territory. A period of colonial expansion began in 1882 and ended in 1943. The King of Italy abdicated in 1946 following a referendum on the question of whether Italy should be a republic or a monarchy. A president was elected in the same year, and the present Constitution came into force in 1948.
Political system
Italy has been a Republic since 1946 and is a founder of the European Union. The Constitution provides for the powers of a democratic state to be divided among the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. The country, which comprises 20 regions, is divided into 102 provinces for purposes of local government.
The head of state is the President of the Republic, who is elected by Parliament and holds office for a period of seven years. Parliament consists of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies and is elected by popular vote every five years. Parliamentary legislation can be initiated in either house but must be approved by both houses before becoming law. Emergency legislation can be enacted by decree-laws. Such decrees have immediate effect, but they must be ratified by Parliament within 60 days. Failing such ratification, the legislation is nullified with retroactive effect.
The Economy
The major characteristic of the Italian economy is its flexibility, principally because Italian and foreign companies receive the same treatment. Corporate freedom, therefore, is universally guaranteed. Italy is one of the most industrialized countries expected to record the highest business environment ranking and investment pole indicators, according to Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) data.
Italy’s acceptance of the Euro currency obliged the country to adopt a series of reforms improving many fundamental factors of the Italian economy: new-found political stability, progressively lower interest rates, inflation control at about 1.9%, high productivity and a highly varied system of incentives to foster productive investments, especially in the South (on-the-job training, a single multipurpose department for bureaucratic streamlining, the recently introduced area contracts and the range of incentives on offer to investors generally).
Standard of Living
The standard of living for the professional class and upper and middle management is high, similar to that of other developed countries. Skilled workers also have a good standard of living.
European Union
The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. The member states of the EU have set up common institutions, to which they delegate some of their sovereignty, so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at the European level.
Historically, the roots of the European Union lie in the Second World War. This idea of European integration was conceived to prevent such killing and destruction from ever happening again. It was first proposed by the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in a speech on May 9, 1950. This date is considered the “birthday” of what is now the EU and is celebrated annually as Europe Day.
There are five EU institutions, each playing a specific role: European Parliament (elected by the people of the Member States); Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the Member States); European Commission (driving force and executive body); Court of Justice (ensuring compliance with the law); Court of Auditors (controlling sound and lawful management of the EU budget).
These five institutions are flanked by five other important bodies, which are: European Economic and Social Committee (expresses the opinions of organized civil society on economic and social issues); Committee of the Regions (expresses the opinions of regional and local authorities); European Central Bank (responsible for monetary policy and managing the Euro); European Ombudsman (deals with citizens’ complaints about mismanagement by any EU institution or body); European Investment Bank (helps achieve EU objectives by financing investment projects). There are a number of agencies and other bodies that complete the system.
The rule of law is fundamental to the European Union. All EU decisions and procedures are based on the Treaties, which are agreed by all the EU countries.
Initially, the EU consisted of just six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in 1973, Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986, Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. The largest enrollment takes place in 2004 with 10 new countries joining.
In the early years, much of the co-operation between EU countries was about trade and the economy, now the EU also deals with many other subjects of direct importance for our everyday life, such as citizens’ rights; ensuring freedom, security and justice; job creation; regional development; environmental protection; making globalization work for everyone.
The European Union has delivered a half century of stability, peace and prosperity. It has helped to raise living standards, built a single Europe-wide market, launched the single European currency, the Euro, and strengthened Europe’s voice in the world. Unity in diversity: Europe is a continent with many different traditions and languages, but also with shared values. The EU defends these values. It fosters cooperation among the people of Europe, promoting unity while preserving diversity and ensuring that decisions are taken as close as possible to the citizens.
In the increasingly interdependent world of the 21st century, it will be even more necessary for every European citizen to co-operate with people from other countries in a spirit of curiosity, tolerance and solidarity.
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