The Italian Republic, with its capital Rome, is a country located in southern Europe and encompasses the Apennine Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia, and other islands.
It borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia to the north and faces the Adriatic, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian Seas to the east, south, and west respectively, in the Mediterranean Sea.
With a total area of 301,333 square km and a coastline stretching over 7,200 km, Italy experiences a subtropical Mediterranean climate. The country is divided into 20 administrative regions, 101 provinces, and 5 special autonomous regions. As of January 2022, the population was 58.98 million, mainly Italian-speaking.
Italy is a leading industrialized country, with the fourth-largest economy in Europe and the eighth-largest in the world. It is known for its advanced machinery and equipment, automobile manufacturing, biomedicine, and aerospace industries, and its thriving small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2021, the country's GDP was 1.78 trillion euros.
From ancient ruins to cliffside villages and rolling vineyards, Italy is home to some of the most stunning landscapes and natural wonders in the world. It is also rich in cultural heritage and tourist resources, making it an alluring destination for art, culture, and natural beauty.
1. Cinque Terre - Liguria
This iconic cliffside fishing village in northwestern Liguria is composed of five unique villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Vernazza is often considered the cutest town due to its quaint and photogenic qualities.
2. Scala Dei Turchi - Sicily
A stepped rocky cliff composed of soft limestone and white marl, Scala Dei Turchi is a beautiful coastal landmark in southern Sicily. The terraces formed by thousands of years of wind and saltwater erosion give it its name.
3. Terme di Saturnia - Tuscany
In addition to its beautiful beaches, snow-capped peaks, lakes, and valleys, Italy are also home to numerous thermal baths and hot springs. The Maremma region in southern Tuscany is famous for its beautiful hot springs.
4. Archipelago della Maddalena - Sardinia
Located in northern Sardinia, the Maddalena Islands feature some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. With a rugged rose-colored granite coastline and pristine, turquoise-like water, the archipelago feels like a tropical paradise.
5. Castellucio di Norcia - Apennines
A small village in the Apennines of central Italy, Castellucio is known for its colorful spring flowers, including violets, narcissus, daisies, clover, and more, making it one of the most stunning spring landscapes in Italy.
