Area
301,338 sq km (116,346 sq miles).
Population
58,145,360 (official estimate 2004).
Population Density
193 per sq km.
Capital
Rome.
Population: 2,546,804 (2001).
Government
Unification in 1861. Republic since 1946.
Head of State: President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi since 1999.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi since 2001.
Language
Italian is the official language. Dialects are spoken in different regions. German and Ladin are spoken in the South Tyrol region (bordering Austria). French is spoken in all the border areas from the Riviera to the area north of Milan (border with France and Switzerland). German is spoken around the Austrian border. English, French and German are also spoken in the biggest cities and in tourism and business circles.
Religion
90 per cent Roman Catholic with Protestant minorities.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in September).
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz.
Communications
Telephone
Full IDD service available. Country code: 390 (followed by 6 for Rome, 2 for Milan, 11 for Turin, 81 for Naples, 41 for Venice and 55 for Florence). Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone kiosks now only accept phonecards, which can be purchased at post offices, tobacconists and certain newsagents.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Network operators are H3G . Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) Vodafone Omnitel and Wind .
Fax
Some hotels have facilities.
Internet
ISPs include Freenet Telecom Italia Net Tiscali and Virgilio . Public access is available in Internet Corner Kiosks operated by Telecom Italia. Kiosks have been installed at airports, major hotels and in other public places. There are also Internet cafes in all main towns.
Telegram
Both internal and overseas telegrams may be dictated over the telephone.
Post
The Italian postal system tends to be subject to delays. Letters between Italy and other European countries usually take seven to 10 days to arrive. Letters intended for Poste Restante collection should be addressed to Fermo Posta and the town. Stamps are sold in post offices and tobacconists. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800/0830-1200/1230 and 1400/1430-1730/1800, Saturday mornings only.
Radio
BBC World Service and Voice of America can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2005: New Year’s Day.
Jan 6: Epiphany.
Mar 28: Easter Monday.
Apr 25: Liberation Day.
May 1: Labor Day.
Jun 2: Anniversary of the Republic.
Aug 15: Assumption.
Nov 1: All Saints’ Day.
Nov 7: World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day.
Dec 8: Immaculate Conception.
Dec 25: Christmas Day.
Dec 26: St Stephen’s Day.
Jan 1 2006: New Year’s Day.
Jan 6: Epiphany.
Apr 17: Easter Monday.
Apr 25: Liberation Day.
May 1: Labor Day.
Jun 2: Anniversary of the Republic.
Aug 15: Assumption.
Nov 1: All Saints’ Day.
Nov 7: World War I Victory Anniversary Day.
Dec 8: Immaculate Conception.
Dec 25: Christmas Day.
Dec 26: St Stephen’s Day.
Note
In addition, local feast days are held in honor of town patron saints, generally without closure of shops and offices. These include:
Turin/Genoa/Florence:: Jun 24 (St John the Baptist).
Milan:: Dec 7 (St Ambrose).
Siena:: Jul 2 and Aug 16, Palio horserace.
Venice:: Apr 25 (St Mark).
Bologna:: Oct 4 (St Petronius).
Naples:: Sep 19 (St Gennaro).
Bari:: Dec 6 (St Nicholas).
Palermo:: Jul 15 (St Rosalia).
Rome:: Jun 29 (St Peter).
Trieste:: Nov 3.
Special Events
Traditional festivals are celebrated in most towns and villages in commemoration of local historical or religious events. For further details, contact ENIT, the Italian State Tourist Board (see General Info). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Italy in 2005:
Jan-Mar: Ivrea Carnival.
Jan 6: Epiphany Celebrations, nationwide (particularly Piana degli Albanesi and Bordonaro).
Jan 23: Viareggio Carnival (famous for its puppets); Ravel Evening, Milan.
Jan 28-Feb 8: Venice Carnival (traditional masked balls and elaborate costumes).
Feb 15-24: Carnival in Acireale.
Feb: Baroque Carnival, Palermo; Mandorlo in Fiore (spring festival), Agrigento.
Mar 13: Rome Marathon.
Mar 20-26: Holy Week, Rome.
Apr 20: Birth of Rome Celebrations.
May 15: Vogalonga (boat race), Venice.
Jun: Heineken Jamin Festival (rock festival), Imola.
Jul: Festino di Santa Rosalia (parades, processions and fireworks), Palermo.
Aug-Sep: San Rocco Music Festival (Baroque music), Venice.
Sep: International Urban Theater Festival, Rome.
Oct: Autumn Festival, Abbadia San Salvatore.
Dec: Christmas Markets, nationwide; Feast of St Nicholas, nationwide.
Dec 26-Feb 24: Putignano Carnival. |
