Located along the southern coast of Europe, it has a formal history dating back to the 5th century prior to the common era that begins with the founding of the Roman Republic. Prior to that, the Italian peninsula had been home to a fairly well developed Etuscan society.
UNIFICATION - 1870. (Same year as Germany)
Politics and Government
Italy is currently without a Government despite the election of March 2013. None of the 3 largest parties can secure a majority.
They are the Democrats (Socialists + communists), the Freedom People (of the controversial sir Silvio Berlusconi), and the 5 Star Movement of the comedian Beppo Grillo (Jiminy Cricket).
Meanwhile the financial crisis worsens.
Laws
International/Inter-regional Relations/Diplomacy
Finances and Economics
Armed/Defence Forces (External defence forces)
Member of Nato. Some troops in Afghanistan.
Ground-force (Army/Military)
Aerial-force
Policing and Security forces (Internal defence force)
Culture and Society
Religion
- Romans (5th c. BC to 5th c. AD)
- Middle Ages (6th to 14th c.)
- Renaissance (15th to 16th c.)
- Foreign domination and unification (16th to 19th c.)
- Monarchy and Mussolini (1861-1945)
- Italian Republic (after 1945)