Key Facts
Location
Italy is in Western Europe.
Time
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Area
301,338 sq km (116,346 sq miles).
Population
The Italian population is 58.1 million (UN estimate 2006).
Money
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. (Italian mortgages are taken out in Euros)
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen's Day.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen's Day.
Climate
Summer temperatures in the south are far hotter than in the north – especially in the mountain regions which have heavy winter snowfalls. The north is the wettest area, while the wettest months are October to December.
Max term 25 years
£ 220,000 minimum loan
Repayment Only mortgages
