Italy is one of the most fascinating countries whose geography is quite similar to that of a boot. Italy lies in the southern region of Europe. The capital of Italy is Rome which is known as the ‘Eternal City’. Italy has around 59-60 million people living in it. Italian is the official language spoken in Italy. However, do you know which countries border Italy?
List Of Countries That Share Borders With Italy
Italy is a country in southern Europe which has its northern boundaries adjacent to four sovereign nations. Let’s discuss the geographical positioning and important features of the adjoining countries on the northern boundary of Italy.
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| Country | Direction | Border Length | Official Language | Currency |
| Switzerland | North / Northwest | 744 km | German, French, Italian, Romansh | Swiss Franc (CHF) |
| France | West / Northwest | 488 km | French | Euro (€) |
| Austria | North / Northeast | 430 km | German | Euro (€) |
| Slovenia | East / Northeast | 232 km | Slovenian | Euro (€) |
Apart from these four main countries, Italy entirely surrounds two other microstates, namely San Marino and Vatican City. All these neighbours work together and create effective cooperation, similar to alpine ecosystems, and trade paths through the European Union system.
What Are The Physical Features Of Italy?
Italy is a country that is extremely beautiful and has a very distinctive shape because it resembles a huge boot that kicks a football (Sicily). Due to its location, the country has extremely diverse landscapes, which are among the most interesting in all of Europe. Here are some of the physical characteristics of Italy:
The Massive Mountains
The Alps protect the northern border of Italy. This is a chain of enormous, snow-covered mountains which acts as a barrier between Italy and the rest of Europe. The next mountain range to consider is the Apennines. It runs along the centre of Italy, dividing it into eastern and western halves.
Active Volcanoes
Italy is one of the few countries in Europe where there are active volcanoes. In the South, there is Mount Vesuvius, which is located near the city of Naples. It is well known for the long-ago burial of the city of Pompeii. Also, there is Mount Etna, which can be found in Sicily.
Endless Coastlines and Islands
As Italy is a country that exists in the form of a peninsula, it is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the seawater is very clear. It has hundreds of kilometres of beaches and caves along with cliffs. The two largest islands of Italy are situated in the Mediterranean Sea.
Fertile Plains and Rivers
Just south of the Alps lie the Po Valley regions. These are huge and flat regions which host the flow of the Po River. This river is considered to be the largest river in Italy. With plenty of water and fertile soil, these regions are the major food-producing regions for Italy.
