Italy Facts

I like Italy, so here's a few random facts about the country.

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the
peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King
Victor EMMANUEL.

Geographic coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E

border countries: Austria, France, Holy See (Vatican
City), San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland

Natural resources:
mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, natural gas and crude oil
reserves, fish, coal, arable land

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.4 years
male: 76.47 years
female: 82.52 years (2003 est.)

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)

Government type: republic

Capital: Rome