|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Italy is one of the Mediterranean countries located in the south central part of the European continent, and is famous for it's thigh high boot shaped peninsula that begins in the Alps, Italian not swiss, and extends for over 700 miles to the Mediterranean Sea, with the toe kicking the ball that is Sicily one of the two islands, Sardinia being the other. Italy is surrounded by three seas, the Adriatic Sea to the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the south where it is approaches Africa. Italy is bordered by five countries, from the west France, Switzerland, Monaco, Austria, and Slovenia. Italy is also one of the only countries to host two independent countries within its borders, the Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino. The first is famous as the holy see and the other for the tax free haven that hosts a Grand Prix. The total land area of Italy is about 116,300 square miles (301,230 sq km) and yet it has over 2000 miles of coast land. There are two mountain chains, the Italian Alps and the Apennines. It is important to emphasize that these are Italian Alps and not Swiss ones as the Italians will go to great pains to do so. They extends over 600 miles from east to west and cover most of the north of the country. They provide a great barrier to the sometimes harsh weather that comes down from the north. These alps comprise the peaks of Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), Monte Rosa and Cervino (the Matterhorn) that are over 14000 feet.. |