Area
301,338 sq. km. (116,346 sq. miles)
Location
Western Europe
Population
58.1 million (as per estimates of 2006) and Population Density of 192.8 per sq. km.
Capital City
Rome with a total population of 2.6 million (as per estimates of 2005).
Language
Italian is the official and most popular language in the country. Regional dialects are also quite popular in Italy. Some other languages are also prevalent in different parts of the country. For instance, German and Ladin are widely used in South Tyrol region bordering Austria, French is popular along the regions bordering France and Switzerland spanning Riviera to the north of Milan. English, German, and French are also widely used and understood in tourist centres and business circles.
Electricity
AC 230 volts, 50Hz
Currency
Euro (EUR, symbol €). 1€ = 100 cents.
Notes prevalent = €20, 50, 100, 200, and 500
Coins prevalent = €1 and 2; Cents 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50.
Currency Exchange
Currency Exchange facility is available at banks, railway stations, airports, and most first-class hotels (at a reduced rate) in the country. For more details and exchange rates, travellers are advised to consult their banks.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Credit/Debit/ATM Cards prevalent = MasterCard, Visa, and Diners Club
Traveller's Cheques
Travellers Cheques are also accepted at most places in Italy. The travellers are advised to carry travellers’ cheques in major currencies, like US Dollars, or Pounds Sterling, in order to avoid additional exchange rate charges.
Banking Hours
Banks in Italy function from Monday to Friday from 0830-1330 and 1500-1600. However, their functioning might vary from city to city.