Located in Southern Europe, Italy is a boot-like shaped peninsula that extends into the Heart of the Mediterranean Sea giving Italy its hot, dry climate in most parts of the country.  The far northern part of Italy, closest to Switzerland, has an alpine climate.

Italy was formed on March 17, 1861 when the nation-states of the peninsula were united under King Victor Emmanuel II; however, Italy was not unified until 1870.    The government was thrown aside in 1920 when Benito Mussolini, established a Fascist Dictatorship.  Mussolini and Italy’s involvement with the Nazi Party and Germany in World War II led to its fall.  Shortly after this on June 2, 1946, a democratic republic was set in place and the economy soon began to flourish.  Today Italy is a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community. 

The Renaissance originated in Italy during the Middle Ages, and many great thinkers and revolutionists came from this time period.  Galileo Galilei and Leonardo da Vinci made major impacts on science during this period.   The Italian poet Petrarch was critical to the development of the sonnet creating a style never before seen.  The idea of the University came out of the Renaissance

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion of the area accounting for about 90% of the population (30% are practicing Roman Catholic).   The other 10% include different Protestant groups and many religions from Judaism to Islam.

Italian is the one and only official language in Italy, which is interesting because most European countries have several official languages.  The Florentine poet, Dante Alighieri, developed the basis for the modern Italian language.  He is best known for his Divine Comedy.