Sophisticated Traveller

Country name (long):	Italian Republic / Repubblica Italiana		Country name (short):	Italy / Italia

Population	58,133,509		Population growth rate:		0.04%

Data code:		IT	Birth rate:	8.72 births/1,000 population

Nationality:	Italian		Death rate:	10.4 deaths/1,000 population

Location:	Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia		Life expectancy at birth:	79.81 years

National capital:	Rome		Net migration rate:	2.06 migrant (s)/1,000 population

Coordinates:	42 50 N, 12 50 E		Sex ratio:	0.96 male (s)/female

Area:	301,230 sq km		Suffrage:	18 years of age; universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25)l

Land boundaries:	Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km		Ethnic groups:	Italian (includes small clusters of German, French, and Slovene Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians & Greek-Italians in the south)

Climate:	predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south		Religions:	predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community

Terrain:	mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands		Languages:	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)

Elevation extremes:			Age structure:
Lowest point:	Mediterranean Sea 0 m		0-14 years:	13.8% (male 4,147,149/female 3,899,980)
Highest point:	Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc)		15-64 years:	66.5% (male 19,530,512/female 19,105
			65 years and over:	19.7% (male 4,771,858/female 6,678,169)

Government type:	republic		Infant mortality rate:	5.83 deaths/1,000 live births

Independence:	17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1870)		Literacy:	98.6%

National holiday:	Republic Day, 2 June (1946)		Unemployment rate:	7.90%

Constitution:	passed 11 December 1947, effective 1 January 1948; amended many times		Inflation rate:	2%

GDP - real growth rate:	0.20%		Industries:	tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

GDP - per capita (PPP):	US$ 28,400		Currency (code):	euro (EUR)

Legal system:	based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction		Transnational Issues:	Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and northern Africa. Important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling

Currently ranking as the fifth most popular destination for international tourists, Italy opens its doors to around 37 million visitors annually. Indeed, tourism is considered to be amongst Italy's most important industry’s, employing approximately two million people, and contributing 12% to the national GDP. It is this emphasis on tourism and subsequent exploitation that seems to have sucked much of the charm from the many otherwise interesting activities, sites and destinations.

Whilst the common tourist may be content to follow the masses in acceptance of below par cultural stimulant, the ability for the discerning traveller to indulge intimately in Italy’s once resplendent culture is forever diminishing. This is no more evident than in Venice, which in peak season exhibits all the charm and sophistication of Disney Land, albeit at a considerably inflated price.

And yet despite these shortcomings, it is nevertheless a country of great beauty and interest, offering much to satisfy the needs of the informed and sophisticated traveller. When the novelty of the major cities begins to wear thin, there is still plenty to discover in the many delightful towns and regional cities which continue to maintain an extraordinary degree of charm, history, and culture.

Italy’s natural geography and landscape provide for a diverse range of experiences. To the north lush green valleys lay nestled amongst the spectacular Alpine scenery of the Dolomites, to the west the famous beaches of the Italian Riviera offering picturesque vistas, and to the east the undeniably impressive canals and lagoons of Venice contrast with the vast centrally located lake districts. Central Italy is famous also for its hill top towns, terraced farms and steep valleys, the scenery becoming more arid but no less dramatic as one heads further south.

The famous Argentinean novelist Ernesto Sábato commented indirectly of Italy by noting of Switzerland “I had the impression it was swept down with a broom from one end to the other every morning by housewives who dumped all the dirt in Italy”

Perhaps the implication is a little unfair of Italy as a whole, but it is not entirely without foundation. One must often venture through dilapidated grimy industrial outskirts before discovering the beauty lying deep within many Italian cities. And having discovered the heart of a city one can often be disappointed at the level of neglect, the degree of public defacement and lack of consideration for maintaining historical appearance.

Although it must be conceded that these are after all living, working cities, heavily populated and fulfilling a function far greater than satisfying the aesthetic needs of a recalcitrant tourist.

Inseparable to the Italian experience, good food and the enjoyment of eating remains fundamental to Italian culture. Italy continues to be a culinary epicentre, a primary gourmet destination to enjoy some of the finest dining possible, be it a simple pasta dish or an intense complex feast. In particular, the region of Emilia-Romagna to the north west of Italy is renowned for its exceptional produce, likewise as is the Piemonte region for its world class wines.

However, without the benefit of local knowledge, dining well in Italy requires careful research. For every restaurant and cafe of irreparable repute, for which there are many, there are a multitude of pretenders, leaching off the tourist dollar and accommodating to the unassuming masses.

In the city capitals it is widely acknowledged that the making of coffee has been bastardised to suite the less attuned palates of the American tourist. Surprisingly, the best coffee in Italy can be found at the many ‘Autogrill’ roadside stops dotted alongside the major motorways, where the coffee machines never stop flowing, the espressos are like syrup and the caffeine will leave the inexperienced buzzing.

Observations of the Italian persona could be considered a tourist attraction unto itself. Much like the underlying landscape, Italians are diverse in their characteristics, mannerisms and appearance and yet their attitude appears united in a common passion for life and an obsession for style. To pass a few hours at an outdoor café watching the locals interact can provide a feel for the city and its people greater than any gallery or museum excursion could ever hope to achieve.

Indeed, to listen to the Italian language is a delight, poetic and rhythmical to the ear, you will be longing to comprehend. English is generally understood throughout the cities and major tourist destinations. In lesser known local’s communication can at time be difficult for those not versed in basic Italian.

However, understanding the Italian language is as much interpretation of visual motion as it is to the spoken word. Italians are highly expressive in the gestures and the hand actions that accompany conversation, so much so that it is possible to convey an array of emotions and feelings without actually speaking.

Politically, Italy is renowned for its precarious government continuity, several dozen parties having ruled since the end of World War II. Today, social stability continues to face escalating difficulties. Economically, the budget deficit has proven difficult to sustain, inflation is on the rise and growth remains low. Recent plans for pension reform and public spending cuts have given rise to civil protest and there is growing concern as to the country's declining birth rate, which is now the lowest in Europe. Without rectification, estimates forecast the population to fall by approximately a third over the next 50 years.

Visiting Italy is best enjoyed throughout spring and autumn (April, May, October and November). With fewer crowds and a temperate climate, the landscape is at its prettiest, the scenery its most beautiful and the attractions more accessible. It is recommended that travelling in August be avoided, being the time most Italians take their vacations many shops and businesses will be closed.