Money: Lira. On the 1st genuary 2002 Euro become the official money. For a quick currency convertion use OANDA's 164 Currency Converter.
Geography: Italy is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria and the former Croazia. Including the mainland and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, Italy spans 301, 278 square kilometers.
Topography: Three quarters of Italy is hilly and mountainous. The two mountain ranges that cover Italy are the Alps, which continue into France and Yugoslavia, and the Apennines, which follow the Alps along to the southern tip of Italy.
Climate: Central and Southern regions of Italy, except high mountain areas, have a Mediterranean climate - mild winters, hot and dry summers. The Alpine regions have cold winters.
Population: According to a survey in July 1984, Italy had an estimated population of 57 million people. In 1982, 70 percent of the population was located in urban areas. The cities of Rome, Milan, Naples, and Torino each have over 1 million inhabitants. The growth rate from 1970-1982 was an average of 0.4 percent.
