Italian geography

Italian geography

General Overview

• Italy is located in southern Europe and is shaped like a boot.
• It’s bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia to the north and the Mediterranean Sea surrounds it on three sides.
• Italy includes two independent states within its borders, Vatican City and San Marino.

Major Regions and Cities

• Italy is divided into 20 regions, including island regions of Sardinia and Sicily.
• Rome, the capital, is known for its rich history dating back to the Roman Empire.
• Milan is an international hub for fashion and design, whilst Florence is renowned for its Renaissance art and architecture.
• Venice is famous for its canals, and Naples is the birthplace of pizza.

Physical Geography

• Italy’s climate varies from Mediterranean on the coasts to alpine in the mountains.
• The country includes several mountain ranges such as the Apennines which runs down the centre of the peninsula, and the Alps along the northern border.
• Italy is also home to one of Europe’s largest active volcanoes, Mount Etna.

Natural Resources

• Italy is rich in natural resources including natural gas, fish, and arable land.
• It has significant industries in agriculture, manufacturing and services which are spread across the country.
• Italy is the largest wine producer in the world and is famous for its quality olive oil, cheese, and ham.

Environmental Concerns

• Italy deals with a range of environmental issues including air pollution from industrial emissions and motor vehicles, and water pollution.
• Soil erosion and desertification are also significant concerns, especially in the south of the country.
• Additionally, Venice is threatened by rising sea levels and land subsidence.