Italy is located in southern Europe and comprises the long, boot-shaped Italian Peninsula, the southern side of Alps, the large plain of Po Valley and some islands including Sicily and Sardinia. Italy has three major physical regions: the Alps, the Po Valley, and the Apennines. The country of Italy lies on a peninsula that goes out into the Mediterranean Sea. Italy is slightly larger than Arizona in the United States. The terrain is mostly rugged mountains, with the Italian Alps running in the north, cool around Rome, and mild in the south during winter. The summers are usually hot, especially in the south.
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MOUNTAINS
Italy is well-known for its two major mountain ranges, the Alps and the Apennines, as the country is actually 40 percent mountainous. The Alps operate as a northern boundary, containing some of the world's most famous mountains. One of these is the Gran Paradiso, which is located in northwest Italy's Graian Alps. It is approximately 13,323 feet high at its summit making it one of the largest peaks in Italy. The Apennines mountains form a kind of backbone to the country's peninsula, containing many other famous mountains, as well, like the Corno Grande, which has a height of 9,554 feet.
VOLCANOES
Italy is a volcanically active country, containing the only active volcanoes in mainland Europe. The country's volcanism is due chiefly to the presence, a short distance to the south, of the boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate.The famous volcanoes in Italy, are Etna, which is located on the island of Sicily. Etna is the largest volcano in Europe. There are also many small, volcanic islands located in the south, such as Capraia, Ponza, Ischia and Eolie.
Italy is a volcanically active country, containing the only active volcanoes in mainland Europe. The country's volcanism is due chiefly to the presence, a short distance to the south, of the boundary between the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate.The famous volcanoes in Italy, are Etna, which is located on the island of Sicily. Etna is the largest volcano in Europe. There are also many small, volcanic islands located in the south, such as Capraia, Ponza, Ischia and Eolie.
RIVERS
Italy has many rivers draining into the Adriatic Sea, such as the Piave, Adige, Brenta, Tagliamento and Reno. The Po river also drains into the Adriatic and is known for being one of the largest rivers in the world, flowing for over 400 miles and passing through many of the country's major cities, such as Turin, Piacenza and Ferrara. The Po basin is home to some 16 million people (2001), and extends over 24% of Italy’s territory.
Italy has many rivers draining into the Adriatic Sea, such as the Piave, Adige, Brenta, Tagliamento and Reno. The Po river also drains into the Adriatic and is known for being one of the largest rivers in the world, flowing for over 400 miles and passing through many of the country's major cities, such as Turin, Piacenza and Ferrara. The Po basin is home to some 16 million people (2001), and extends over 24% of Italy’s territory.