Table of Contents Chapter 1 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE 4 Chapter 2 HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT 10 Chapter 3 CULTURE AND PEOPLE 18 Chapter 4 DAILY LIFE 24 Map and Key Facts 29 Glossary 30 Index 31
4 Chapter 1 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE From the towering peaks of the Alps to rolling hills and long coastlines Italy is filled with beauty and a rich history Italy is in western Europe Most of the country forms a boot shaped peninsula that stretches into the Mediterranean Sea toward the African coastline Italy also includes the islands of Sardinia and Sicily It covers 116,348 square miles 301,340 sq km
The Land The Mediterranean Sea surrounds most of Italy's western southern and eastern borders Northern Italy borders Slovenia Austria Switzerland and France The independent city state of Vatican City lies within Italy Italy has an alpine region in the north Mountains dominate the landscape The Alps lie where Italy borders Switzerland and France Monte Bianco White Mountain of Courmayeur is there Its peak stands 15,577 feet 4,748 m above sea level Glaciers cover about 40 square miles 100 sq km of Monte Bianco of Courmayeur 5
