Italy: Difference between revisions
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'''Italy''' ([[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Italia''), currently officially known as the '''Italian Republic''' (''Repubblica Italiana''), is a | '''Italy''' ([[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Italia''), currently officially known as the '''Italian Republic''' (''Repubblica Italiana''), is a large state in Southern Europe and founding member of [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]]. Its capital city is [[Rome]]. | ||
Italy consists of twenty [[Regions of Italy|regions]], which encompass almost all of the [[Italian peninsula]] and most of the | Italy consists of twenty [[Regions of Italy|regions]], which encompass almost all of the [[Italian peninsula]] and most of the Mediterranean islands surrounding it, including the two largest ones, [[Sicily]] and [[Sardinia]]. Italy's northern border is largely defined by the [[Alps]], which separate it from neighbouring [[France]], [[Switzerland]] (whose territory includes the Italian exclave of [[Campione d'Italia]]), [[Austria]], and [[Slovenia]] (proceeding west to east). The Italian peninsula also includes two sovereign states as land-locked enclaves within Italian territory: [[San Marino]] and the [[Vatican City]]. | ||
==History== | |||
Italy was the cradle of various ancient cultures, most notably that of [[Ancient Rome]], which made it the centre of [[Western civilisation]] during the [[Roman Empire]], and continued to play important roles at various times in Western history, be it on the grounds of financial influence (the [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[Marine Republics]] and early | Italy was the cradle of various ancient cultures, most notably that of [[Ancient Rome]], which made it the centre of [[Western civilisation]] during the [[Roman Empire]], and continued to play important roles at various times in Western history, be it on the grounds of financial influence (the [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[Marine Republics]] and early banks), religious importance (as the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]), and especially its artistic, cultural and intellectual prominence during the [[Italian Renaissance]]). However, Italy 's importance in world affairs waned since the late [[Renaissance]] and the country remained fractured among various small states, until it was finally [[Unification of Italy|unified]] in the second half of the 19th century under the [[House of Savoy]]. After winning [[World War I]] and becoming a dictatorship under [[Italian fascism]] in 1922, Italy suffered heavily from [[World War II]]. In the post-war period, Italy discarded monarchy in favour of the current democratic parliamentary republic and underwent an "[[Italian economic boom|economic boom]]" which ferried the country from agricultural to and industrial and service economy. | ||
==Today== | |||
Today Italy is a | Today Italy is a developed country ([[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|7th]] by [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] and 17th by [[Human Development Index]] in the world), integral part of the European Union (having hosted the signing of the [[Treaty of Rome]] in 1957), and also a member of the [[G8]], [[NATO]], [[Council of Europe]], and [[United Nations]]. The current [[President of the Italian Republic]] is [[Giorgio Napolitano]], and the current [[President of the Council of Ministers of Italy|President of the Council of Ministers]] is [[Romano Prodi]]. Italy has a little less than 60 million inhabitants who mainly speak the [[Italian language]] (although considerable linguistic minorities exist), and struggles to accommodate constantly escalating immigration (especially from Africa and Eastern Europe) in the transition towards a multiethnic society. | ||
Revision as of 00:49, 10 September 2007
Italy (Italian: Italia), currently officially known as the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana), is a large state in Southern Europe and founding member of NATO and the European Union. Its capital city is Rome.
Italy consists of twenty regions, which encompass almost all of the Italian peninsula and most of the Mediterranean islands surrounding it, including the two largest ones, Sicily and Sardinia. Italy's northern border is largely defined by the Alps, which separate it from neighbouring France, Switzerland (whose territory includes the Italian exclave of Campione d'Italia), Austria, and Slovenia (proceeding west to east). The Italian peninsula also includes two sovereign states as land-locked enclaves within Italian territory: San Marino and the Vatican City.
History
Italy was the cradle of various ancient cultures, most notably that of Ancient Rome, which made it the centre of Western civilisation during the Roman Empire, and continued to play important roles at various times in Western history, be it on the grounds of financial influence (the medieval Marine Republics and early banks), religious importance (as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church), and especially its artistic, cultural and intellectual prominence during the Italian Renaissance). However, Italy 's importance in world affairs waned since the late Renaissance and the country remained fractured among various small states, until it was finally unified in the second half of the 19th century under the House of Savoy. After winning World War I and becoming a dictatorship under Italian fascism in 1922, Italy suffered heavily from World War II. In the post-war period, Italy discarded monarchy in favour of the current democratic parliamentary republic and underwent an "economic boom" which ferried the country from agricultural to and industrial and service economy.
Today
Today Italy is a developed country (7th by GDP and 17th by Human Development Index in the world), integral part of the European Union (having hosted the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957), and also a member of the G8, NATO, Council of Europe, and United Nations. The current President of the Italian Republic is Giorgio Napolitano, and the current President of the Council of Ministers is Romano Prodi. Italy has a little less than 60 million inhabitants who mainly speak the Italian language (although considerable linguistic minorities exist), and struggles to accommodate constantly escalating immigration (especially from Africa and Eastern Europe) in the transition towards a multiethnic society.