301,230 sq km
includes Sardinia and Sicily - slightly larger than Arizona Type of Government
republic Money
euro (EUR); Italian lira (ITL)
on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries Climate
predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Primary Language
Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
