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Italy at a Glance

Italy is a country in Southern Europe which is a boot-shaped peninsula extending from the southern edge of Europe into the Mediterranean Sea. The country is acknowledged as the birthplace of Western culture. Famous monuments can be found everywhere around the country and it is also famous worldwide for its delicious cuisine. Italy has a rich and colourful History. It has been the home of many European cultures, such as the Etruscans and the Romans, and later was the birthplace of the movement of the Renaissance that began in Tuscany and spread all over Europe. Tourism is one of the biggest contributors to the Italian economy. It is the sixth most populous country in Europe, and the twenty-third most populous in the world.
Area301340 Square KilometersCapitalRomePopulation59.83 MillionOfficial LanguagesItalianCurrencyEuroTime DifferenceIndia is 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Italy. (IST-3:30hrs)ISD Code+39BoundaryItaly is bounded by Austria, France, Holy See, San Marino, Slovenia and Switzerland

  • Visa Requirements

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    A valid Schengen visa is required to visit Italy. A short term visa is needed if somebody wishes to stay for less than 3 months. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of return.

  • Overview

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    Italy has been the centre of history, culture and art. The Romans gave the world rule of law and a pattern of government still in evidence today. Establishment of the Christian faith in Europe was sponsored by the roman emperor, Constantine the great. Italy was home to many of the world's most famous and best loved painters, sculptors and composers. The great minds of Galileo Galilei and Leonardo da Vinci helped to shape the world in which we live.

  • Overview

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    Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes. During the last decades of the twentieth century pasta and pizza became popular in the north of Italy. Pasta is more likely to be served with a white cheese sauce in the north and a tomato-based sauce in the south. Italians are known for their use of herbs in cooking, especially oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and sage.

  • Pizza

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    It is an oven-baked flat bread generally topped with tomato sauce and cheese. It is commonly supplemented with a selection of meats, vegetables and condiments. Pizza is sold fresh, frozen or in portions. Various types of ovens are used to cook them and many varieties exist.

  • Pasta

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    Pasta is a staple food of traditional Italian cuisine. Typically, pasta is a noodle made from an unleavened dough of a durum wheat flour mixed with water and formed into sheets or various shapes, then cooked and served in any number of dishes. It can be made with flour from other cereals or grains, and eggs may be used instead of water.

  • Gelato

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    Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. It can be made with milk, cream, various sugars, and flavouring such as fresh fruit and nut purees. Types of sugar used include sucrose, dextrose, and inverted sugar to control apparent sweetness. Egg yolks are used in yellow custard-based gelato flavors, including zabaione and creme caramel, and non-fat milk solids are also added to gelato to stabilize the base.

  • Overview

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    Italy is a country well known for its festivals, and many tourists attend festivals in order to experience the Italian culture and traditions. This list includes major festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed throughout Italy.

  • Epiphany and Befana

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    This festival is now marked with a national holiday. According to Christian tradition the festival is held on the 12th day of Christmas when children celebrates the arrival of the holy witch Befana. This festival takes a particularly colourful shape with thousands of people in their medieval dress heading towards the Vatican.

  • Festa Della Sensa

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    The Festa della Sensa is one of the city's best known festivals that bring to life its thousand year history and its close ties with the sea and the art of "Voga alla Veneta" rowing. This festival attracts millions of visitors to events that is famous world over.

  • L’Ardia di San Constantino

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    Florence is the city from where western musical tradition began and this musical festival which is still the top classical music festival in the country is a testimony to this tradition.

  • Venice International Film Festival

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    This is the oldest international film festival in the world and a symbol of Italy’s well known affection with contemporary art forms. Beginning in 1932 the festival takes place at the end of August or early September on Libo Island, Venice. Presently besides Cannes and Berlin, it is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world contested by the most promising and eminent filmmakers and attended by devout film lovers from all over the world.

  • Game of the Bridge

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    This history behind this famous sporting occasion in Pisa, a Tuscan city in central Italy, dates back to the sixteenth century when opposing forces from various areas of Pisa battled over the bridge on the Arno River. Though the original battle ended up in death and bloodshed, it is symbolically commemorated on the last Sunday of June every year. Several groups of people in typical 18th century costume and badges parade to the bridge from all areas of Pisa and they fight over a wooden trolley that has to be pushed to the opponent’s side to ensure the win and symbolic victory over bridge. The enthralling crowd representing both north and south side of the river enjoys the battle.

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