Facts & Information
| Official Language: | Italian (Latin alphabet) English widely spoken |  |
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| Population: | 56,995,744 | ||
| Capital: | Rome (2,761,477 inhabitants) | ||
| Surface Area: | 294,020 Km2 with an additional 7,210 Km2 of territorial waters | ||
| Coastline: | 7,500 Km | ||
| Religion: | Predominantly Roman Catholic | ||
| Type Of Government: | Parliamentary Democracy (multi party parliamentary republic) | ||
| Monetary Unit: | Euro (EUR) | ||
| Climate: | With its hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, Italy experiences a Mediterranean climate. The summer can be quite hot in Italy, mainly in the south of the peninsula, with high nocturnal temperatures of usually 28-33°C, but sometimes even 40°C. Thunderstorms are quite common especially in the northern areas. The Mediterranean climate in Italy has often local variations. Surrounded by warm seas and with mountains close by, the coast always has a breeze; mountain areas are usually cooler with clear sunny skies, but sometimes local showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon. Hot air rising from the sea can cause heavy thunderstorms especially in early fall, but these bring often the only summer rain that rapidly evaporates. In spring and fall, the Sirocco, a warm wind from Africa, raises the temperature of the peninsula. In The summer these Winds can bring very hot, unpleasant weather, sometimes even up to the northern districts of Italy. Winters in Italy are cool and humid in the north and the mountainous zone. Sometimes cold air from northern Europe can spread south into Italy; bring snow to most mountains, while the coasts are kept warm by the high sea temperatures. Storms like the Mistral can bring snow and gales, sometimes even in southern districts of Italy. | ||
| Travel Documents: | Valid passport required. New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa if staying under 90 days. | ||
| Driving: | Right-hand side of road. Valid driving license is required, as well as valid documents for the car, and a green insurance card. | ||
| To / From Italy: | Air: Italy access is made daily with regular flights into Italy from many major European gateways. Land: It is possible to drive in to Italy from any of the neighbouring countries (France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia). Sea: Crossings operate from Bari, Pescara, Ancona, and Venice in Italy to selected ports in Croatia. |
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| Opening Hours: | Shops: Mon–Sat 09:00 am to 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm Banks: Mon–Fri 8:30 am to 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm to 4.15 pm Post Offices: Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Sat 9.00 am – 12.30 pm Pharmacies: Mon–Fri 9:00 am to 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm to 7.30 pm Sat 7.00 am – 1.00 pm (Large towns have a pharmacy that is open 24 hours) |
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| 2011 Public Holidays: | 01 January – New Year’s Day 06 January – Epiphany 25 April – Easter Monday & Liberation Day 01 May – Labour Day 02 June – National Day 15 August – Assumption Of Mary 01 November – All Saints’ Day 08 December – Immaculate Conception 25 December – Christmas Day 26 December – St Stephen’s Day |
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| Important Phone No’s: | Telephone Code +39 Police, Medical & Fire 112 Police 113 Ambulance 118 Fire Service 115 Assistance On Roads 116 Coast Guard 1530 |
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| Other Information: | Time zone: GMT plus one hour in winter & GMT plus two hours in summer Electricity: Voltage of city power grid – 220V, frequency 50HZ |
