Italy

Italy is a southern European country located on the Apennine Peninsula and has a characteristic boot shape. The country borders France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia to the north, and is otherwise surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Italy has a population of around 60 million people, and its capital is Rome, a city dating back to the greatest empire of antiquity. Italy has a rich historical heritage and was the center of the Roman Empire, one of the world's most influential empires. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Italy emerged as a collection of city-states, with Venice, Florence and Genoa among others playing important roles in trade and art. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Italy was the heart of the Renaissance, a period that gave rise to artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Italian cuisine is loved all over the world and is known for its simplicity and fresh ingredients. Dishes such as pasta, pizza, risotto and tiramisu have become international favourites. Each region has its own culinary traditions and specialities. Italy has a varied geography with the Alps in the north, beautiful lakes such as Lake Garda and Lake Como, and volcanoes such as Vesuvius and Etna. There are beautiful coastlines, olive groves, vineyards and rolling countryside, especially in regions such as Tuscany and Umbria. The climate varies from alpine cold in the north to a warm Mediterranean climate in the south.