|
Region |
Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast
of Tunisia
|
|
Capital |
Rome |
|
Government |
Republic |
|
US Embassy |
Chief of mission: Ambassador Melvin SEMBLER embassy: Via Vittorio Veneto 119/A,
00187-Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 46741
FAX: [39] (06) 488-2672, 4674-2356 consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples
|
|
Legal System |
Based on civil law system; appeals treated as new trials; judicial review under
certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
|
|
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 |
|
Currency Code |
Eur |
|
Exchange Rate |
|
|
Holidays |
Republic Day, 2 June (1946)
|
|
Climate |
Predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south |
|
Terrain |
Mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands
|
|
Driving Information |
Seat belt usage is compulsory. Driving is on the right. Cell phones may only be
used while driving if drivers use the earpiece and microphone, or have a speaker
on their phone. Handheld phone use is strictly prohibited and violators will be
subject to a fine. All vehicles must drive with lights on while on the Autostrada
and the Tangenziale, day or night. Also, all vehicles must have their headlights
on throughout the day while traveling on all roadways during times of low visibility. |
|
Road Conditions |
Urban Road Condition/Maintenance: Fair Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Good Availability
of Roadside Assistance: Excellent
|
|
Speed Limits |
|
|
Driving Tips |
Streets in cities are often narrow, winding and congested; lane markings are often
nonexistent; traffic lights are limited and often disobeyed; and a different convention
of right-of-way is observed. Italy has over 5,600 kilometers (3,480 mi.) of "Autostrada",
or superhighways. Commercial and individual drivers travel and pass on these well-maintained
roads at very high speeds. Accidents in which excessive speed is a contributing
factor do occur.
|
|
Road Side Assistance |
Automobile Club Italiano (ACI) Via Marsala 8 00185 Roma Telephone: 011-39-6-49981
Fax: 011-39-6-499-8234 |
|
Comments |
Museums and other monuments are usually closed on Mondays and public holidays |