predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south
Languages:
Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)
Currency:
euro (EUR)
Government:
republic
Religions:
predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community