• Chapter 1: Operating Environment.
• Chapter 2: Import-Export Process.
• Chapter 3: Internal and International .
Transportation and Logistics .
Infrastructure.
• Summary.
• Bibliography.
Chapter 1: Operating Environment.
Physical Elements.
Italy is a peninsula located in the Mediterranean portion of Europe which is comprised of 20 individual regions. This country spans over 301,230 square miles of land and is inhabited by over 57 million people. France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia border Italy in the north. The peninsula is surrounded by the Ligurian Sea, the Sardinian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west, the Sicilian Sea and the Ionian Sea in the south, and the Adriatic Sea in the east. As a result, Italy has a very temperate climate but varies a great deal according to how far one is from the sea or the mountains.
This beautiful country is characterized predominately by two mountain ranges: the Alps and the Apennines. The Alps extend over 600 miles from east to west with peaks rising to over 14,000 feet. These mountainous regions are ideal for skiing in the winter months and great for excursions, such as hiking, in the summer. Seaside and lake resorts, with their excellent hotel facilities, have an intense tourist season in the summer, while the cities that are rich in art treasures are ideal in spring and autumn. Italy is one of Europe's most visited tourist spots.
Culture .
Italy is a land that is celebrated for its natural scenery and historic backgrounds. It has an unparallel diversity ranging from wonderful delicacies to exquisite art and architecture. The prevalent language is Italian. As a result of Italy's diversity, there are also some German, French, Ladino, and Slovene speaking areas. Italy is a highly educated country with a 98% literacy rate. Historically, the currency was the Italian Lira but they have recently adopted the Euro.
