The geographical facts of Italy are as fascinating and interesting as the country itself. The land area of pasta and pizza may not be large in kilometers, but one of the reasons that Italy enjoys a roaring tourist trade is the diversity of its landscape (as well as the art, history and food). Let’s go on a lovely tour of this fabulous country as I introduce some of the geographical facts of Italy. Enjoy!
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1. Tallest Mountain in Italy
Mountains could feature in many of the geographical facts of Italy. The country is littered with mountains, some of which are considered the most beautiful in the world. However the title of the highest mountain in Italy is somewhat disputed because it sits on the border with France and both countries lay claim to it. This is Mont Blanc, translating simply to “White Mountain” in English. It rises over 15,780 feet from sea level, and is the highest mountain in the Alps and the highest mountain in the European Union.
2. Italy’s Deepest Lake
The deepest lake in Italy is Lake Como, sometimes referred to as Lario after the Latin name for the lake. The lake is not only the deepest in Italy, at 400 metres deep (1,320 feet) but also one of the deepest in the whole of Europe. The Lake is very popular with tourists, and has been frequently visited since the Roman times. The Lake attracts a lot of rainfall in the wetter months (usually May), and is prone to snow flurries during the colder weather, but helps the local area in the summer by keeping the temperatures high. It is a very beautiful part of Italy, and has become a hotspot for the rich and famous, with property prices on the Lake very high. The largest lake in Italy is stunningly beautiful Lake Garda.
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3. Most Active Volcano in Italy
Italy’s most active volcano is Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily. The volcano is the tallest active volcano in Europe, standing at almost 11,000 feet. It is two and a half times the height of the next tallest volcano in the country, and is certainly the most active in the country. Mount Etna is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with eruptions occurring most years. The volcano has already erupted in 2013, and is expected to do so many more times this year – in 2011, Etna erupted a total of 18 times throughout the year, securing its place as the most active volcano in Italy.
4. Longest River in Italy
We don’t really associate Italy with rivers, so it’s not surprising that the geographical facts of Italy aren’t very shocking when we talk about them. The longest river in Italy is the Po. It flows across Northern Italy for 400+ miles reaching the Adriatic Sea near Venice. Despite its lack of fame it courses through several important cities including Turin and Cremona, and at one point is nearly 1,800 feet wide.
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The Po River not only boasts impressive length but is also essential to Italian agriculture, nourishing the fertile plains of the Po Valley, which is renowned for being one of the most productive areas in Italy, especially for rice cultivation. Moreover, this water richness fuels a vibrant ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife and is a crucial component of the local economy, sustaining fisheries and providing water for irrigation. Its influence shapes the culture and lifestyle of the inhabitants along its banks, marrying the quintessential charm of Italian life with the rustic beauty of its natural landscapes.
5. Tallest Waterfall in Italy
This title belongs to the Cascate del Serio in the Bergamo Alps which have a height of 315m (1,000 feet), but, one of the more interesting facts of Italian geography is that the tallest man-made waterfall in the world is found in Umbria. The Cascate delle Marmore was constructed by the Ancient Romans to divert stagnant waters that were causing malaria. The height of Marmore Falls is 541 feet.
6. Longest Beach in Italy
Italy certainly has some gorgeous beaches and some of the best are those in tiny rocky inlets. The longest beach in Italy however, is not on the mainland, but on the island of Sardinia. Poetta Beach is the beach serving the Sardinian capital, Cagliari, and its gorgeous golden sands stretch for between 6-8kms depending on which data source you use.
7. Hottest Place in Italy
Although typically a Mediterranean climate, the very diverse geography of Italy does bring extremes of temperature. The warmest place in Italy is the island of Sicily. In fact, the island holds the unofficial title of the hottest place in Europe, beating the record held by Greece in 1977. The maximum temperature of the island was recorded at 48.5 degrees Celsius, or 119 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot temperatures make Sicily the perfect place for growing wine grapes; the island is the third-largest wine producer in the country due to the perfect climate. The coldest place in Italy is Campobasso which regularly experiences temperatures below freezing in winter.
Those are some of the most pertinent geographical facts of Italy. I hope you found them interesting. Do you have any other little-known geographical facts of Italy to share?
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