Italy Fun Fact #7 - Back to Basics

Italy's Location and Geography: Italy is a Mediterranean country in the south of Europe. Its west coast is the Mediterranean Sea and the east coast is the Adriatic. France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia form its northern border. Its highest point, in Monte Bianco, is 4748 meters. The mainland is a peninsula and Italy also includes the two large islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Italy's Climate - When to Vacation in Italy: Italy enjoys a predominantly Mediterranean (mild) climate with a colder Alpine climate in the mountains to the north and a hot and dry climate in the south. Italy's coast are pleasant almost all year. Much of Italy is very hot in summer and summer is the height of vacation season. Probably the best seasons to visit Italy are late spring and early fall.

Regions of Italy: Italy is divided into 20 regions with 18 on the mainland and two islands, Sardinia and Sicily. Although they are all Italian, each region still holds some of their own customs and traditions and there are many regional food specialties.

Italy's Language : The official language is Italian, but there are many regional dialects. German is spoken in the northeastern region of Trentino-Alto Adige and there are small French-speaking populations in the Valle d'Aosta region to the northwest and a Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste area to the northeast. Many Sardinians still speak Sardo in the home.

Italian Currency and Time Zone: Italy uses the euro, the same currency used in most of Europe. 100 euro cents = 1 euro. At the time the Euro was adopted, its value was set at 1936.27 Italian Lire (the previous unit of currency).
Italy's time is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1) So when we drunk dial your a** it will still be a respectable time here! ;)