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LOCATION :
A long, mountainous peninsula that
dominates the central Mediterranean Sea. Also two large islands,
Sardinia and Silicy.
United as a
single state in 1870. Republican democracy since 1946. Weak and
unstable succession of 60governments since World War II, but with an
underlying social stability. a member of the EU. The political
paralysis, widespread corruption, economic differences between north
and south, unchecked crimes of the Mafia and its control of much
economic activity, and the total discrediting of Italy's politicians
and political parties came to a head in 1992. there have since been
some improvements which enabled Italy to join the Euro-currency in
1998. Roman Catholicism ceased to be the state religion in 1984. All
religions have equal freedom before the law but not in practice.
Rome is the capital and the
population 3.8 million (in year 2000), Indigenous 94.7% and
non-indigenous 5.3%. Official language is Italian.
People Groups :
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