Living in Italy

Italy lies in Southern Europe and stretches from the Alps to the Mediterranean; it also includes the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Around 60.4 million people live in the country. The landscape includes high mountains, fertile plains, long coastlines, and volcanic areas. The north has alpine winters and often humid summers, while the south is generally warmer and drier. In everyday life, regional cuisines, markets, family connections, and life in public squares shape many places. In cities, people often live in apartments and use trains, buses, or scooters, while in rural areas the car is more important. Work and leisure differ considerably between industrial regions in the north, Rome, and the southern regions.