Italy dips down out of Europe and into the Mediterranean like a women's leg firmly planted in a sleek stiletto, so it's hardly surprising that Italians are known for their impeccable style and fashionable dress sense. They're also known for once having an empire that stretched across the globe, and for having the most spectacular churches, frescos, sculptures and Renaissance paintings in all of Europe.

Italy is a moveable feast of seemingly endless courses. Rome bristles with reminders of its Imperial past; Florence and Venice are virtually outdoor museums; Naples is full of Baroque bombast and Palermo locals view their Byzantine-Norman treasures with a shockingly laissez-faire attitude. But Italy’s riches extend far beyond the obvious. Ski in chic Courmayeur or climb the snow-coated peaks of the Sesto Dolomites; strap on your boots and take to the hills of Tuscany or don designer shades and island hop around Sicily; sleep in converted farmhouses and dine in country kitchens on food so good you’ll swear no other cuisine compares.

Full country name: Italian republic
Area: 301,230 sq Km
Population: 58,8 million
Capitals: Rome
People: Italian
Language: standard Italian and numerous dialects, German, French, Slovene
Religion: 85% Roman Catholic, 5% Jewish and Protestant
Government: Republic
GDP: €1475 billion
GDP per head: €25,085
Annual growth: 2,3%
Inflation: 1,7%
Unemployment rate: 6,7% (10-13,5% in the south)
Major industries: tourism, engineering, textiles, chemicals, food processing, motor vehicles, clothing & footwear
Major trading partners:  EU (esp. Germany, France, UK, Spain, Netherlands), USA