Italy is a Southern European country located centrally in the Mediterranean Sea. The country comprises the Italian peninsula, the Po River valley, and two large Mediterranean islands, Sicily and Sardinia. The states of San Marino and the Vatican City are independent enclaves within Italian territory. Italy shares its northern borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
During the past 3,000 years, Italy has absorbed influences from a rich mix of cultures, including Germanic Tribes, Celts, Franks, Ancient and Byzantine Greeks, Arabs, Moors, Normans, French Angevins, and Lombards. Italy has also been home to several influential civilisations, including the Etruscans, the Greeks, the Romans and the Moors. While many invaders and settlers have left their impression on Italian history and culture, these impressions have all been absorbed into what is a homogeneous Italian ethnic group today.
Italy is called the Bel Paese (beautiful country) by its inhabitants, and for good reason. The beauty and variety of its landscapes, the sumptuous colours and flavours of its cuisine, and the fact that it is home to one of the world's largest artistic patrimonies, all contribute to Italy's unique fascination and appeal. As of January 2006, Italy home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (40 sites).
Italy is subdivided into 20 regions, five of which enjoy special autonomous status. These regions are (with their capital cities):
Italy largely consists of a distinctive boot-shaped peninsula which extends from Southern Europe into the Mediterranean Sea. Together with the two main islands Sicily and Sardinia, the peninsula defines four distinct bodies of water which surround the country: the Adriatic Sea to the north-east, the Ionian Sea to the south-east, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the south-west and the Ligurian Sea to the north-west. Italy is enclosed to the north by the Alps which form an arc across its northern borders. From the Alps, the Apennine mountains run south and form the backbone of the Italian peninsula. The Po Valley is also found in the north, consisting of a large alluvial plain drained by the Po River, Italy's longest river at around 650 kilometres. Italy's highest mountain is Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) at 4,810 metres, although Italy is more commonly associated with two famous volcanoes, Mt Vesuvius near Naples (currently dormant) and Mt Etna on Sicily (currently very active).