Facts

• Full name: Italian Republic
• Population: 61 million (UN, 2012)
• Capital: Rome
• Area: 301,338 sq km (116,346 sq miles)
• Major language: Italian
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 79 years (men), 85 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents
• Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, clothes, wine
• GNI per capita: US $35,320 (World Bank, 2011)
• Internet domain: .it
• International dialling code: +39

In 2011 Italy marked 150 years of unity, promoted by commander Giuseppe Garibaldi, whose statue is pictured left