Italy is located in southern Europe with a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. The country is slightly larger than Arizona.

• Climate — Predominantly Mediterranean and characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The climate is alpine in the far north and hot and dry in south.• Terrain — Italy is mostly rugged and mountainous with some plains and coastal lowlands.• Elevation extremes — The lowest point is the Mediterranean Sea, and the highest point is Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur with an elevation of 15,557 feet.• Population — About 58.1 million• Religion — Italy is 90 percent Roman Catholic with about one-third practicing. The other 10 percent includes mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community.• Agriculture — Primary agriculture includes fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives, beef, dairy products and fish.• Economy — Major exports include engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals, food, beverages, tobacco, minerals and nonferrous metals.The primary industries are tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear and ceramics.<I>SOURCE: The CIA World Factbook.</I>