Italy is a country located in southern Europe. It is on a long, boot shaped peninsula. The peninsula is surrounded on 3 sides by the Mediterranean Sea. The northern border of Italy is in the Alps. In this region, this country shares a border with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. Italy is about twice the size of the state of Georgia.
Italy has a Mediterranean climate. The Mediterranean Sea surrounding Italy keeps the temperature comfortable most of the year. Dry summers are one of the main characteristics of this climate. Winters are usually cold and rainy. The sea helps keep the temperatures from getting too hot in summer and too cold in the winter. The Alps block cold air moving from the north. The hot, dry of the Sahara Desert plays a role in Italy's climate. It expands from the south sending warm dry air into Italy for much of the year.
Italy has few mineral resources. Natural gas is the most valuable resource found in Italy. It is used to help supply the country's energy needs. Marble and granite are available. These are used in the construction of buildings and artwork. Coal, mercury, zinc, and potash are other minerals found in Italy. Arable land is very important in Italy. Small farms cover much of the country. Grapes and olives are important crops. Italy is one of the world's top wine-making countries because of it excellent grape crop. The sea is also important resource too. The long coastline allows for more than 800 ports for fishing boats. About 50,000 Italians make their living as fishermen.
The total population of Italy is 58 million. About 10 million Italians are over the age of 65. This is likely to pose difficulties for the Italian government in forthcoming years with regards to the provision of state pensions as the percentage of retired people in Italy is increasing. The population growth rate is 0.05%. This is an extremely slow rate of growth and cause for concern as if the current population growth figures in Italy prevail at their current rate there will likely be labor shortages in future years. The average birth rate per woman in the Italian population is 1.3 children. This is approximately half the population birth rate of many other EU member states. Only 14% of the current populations of Italy are under the age of 14.
Italy has a Mediterranean climate. The Mediterranean Sea surrounding Italy keeps the temperature comfortable most of the year. Dry summers are one of the main characteristics of this climate. Winters are usually cold and rainy. The sea helps keep the temperatures from getting too hot in summer and too cold in the winter. The Alps block cold air moving from the north. The hot, dry of the Sahara Desert plays a role in Italy's climate. It expands from the south sending warm dry air into Italy for much of the year.
Italy has few mineral resources. Natural gas is the most valuable resource found in Italy. It is used to help supply the country's energy needs. Marble and granite are available. These are used in the construction of buildings and artwork. Coal, mercury, zinc, and potash are other minerals found in Italy. Arable land is very important in Italy. Small farms cover much of the country. Grapes and olives are important crops. Italy is one of the world's top wine-making countries because of it excellent grape crop. The sea is also important resource too. The long coastline allows for more than 800 ports for fishing boats. About 50,000 Italians make their living as fishermen.
The total population of Italy is 58 million. About 10 million Italians are over the age of 65. This is likely to pose difficulties for the Italian government in forthcoming years with regards to the provision of state pensions as the percentage of retired people in Italy is increasing. The population growth rate is 0.05%. This is an extremely slow rate of growth and cause for concern as if the current population growth figures in Italy prevail at their current rate there will likely be labor shortages in future years. The average birth rate per woman in the Italian population is 1.3 children. This is approximately half the population birth rate of many other EU member states. Only 14% of the current populations of Italy are under the age of 14.