Italy 290-
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Malta
Malta is a small country in the Mediterranean Sea
just south of Sicily. Since ancient times, it has
been a vital naval base because of its position
on trade routes to the East. Romans, arabs,
French, turks, Spanish, and British have all
colonized or fought over the island. Malta
finally gained independence from Britain
in 1964, joining the EU in 2004. tourism
is a major source of the country’s income.San MaRino
San Marino is the third-smallest
independent state in Europe, after
Monaco and the Vatican City. it is
about 9 miles (14 km) long and
5 miles (8 km) wide, and is situated
mostly on the slopes of Monte titano
on the adriatic coast. tourism
provides a great source of income to
the country, as do the frequent issues
of its own postage stamps. the
Sammarinese, as the inhabitants of
San Marino are called, are ruled by
two capitani reggenti (“captains
regent”) who are elected every six
months. San Marino has had a treaty
of friendship with italy since 1862.SaRdinia
Sardinia is an island 109 miles
(175 km) off mainland italy, in the
Mediterranean Sea. it is a self-
governing political region of italy
with its own president and elected
regional assembly. the central
italian government, however,
controls education, justice,
communications, such as
railroads and postal services,
defense, and national taxation.The fairytale fortress of Rocca
Tower, perched high on a
rocky outcrop, overlooks
San Marino.VatiCan City
Vatican City is a walled city in
Rome, and the headquarters of
the Roman Catholic Church.
it is the official residence of
the Pope, and the smallest
independent state in the
world, with an area of
0.17 sq miles (0.44 sq km). the
Vatican has its own flag, national
anthem, stamps, and coins, as well
as a newspaper and radio station.
Saint Peter’s Basilica, which overlooks
a grand piazza (left), dominates the city.SiCily
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean
Sea. it belongs to italy; from that it is separated by
the Strait of Messina. the island’s highest point is
Mount Etna, an active volcano which reaches a
height of 10,930 ft (3,332 m). Farming and
tourism are the primary sources of income.
increasing numbers of tourists are attracted by the
island’s beautiful beaches and ancient ruins.Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
City, Rome, is the world’s
largest Christian
church. Shaped like
a cross, it is nearly
700 ft (210 m)
long and
extends to
about 450 ft
(137 m) at its
widest point.RoMan CatholiCS
More than half of all Christians are
Roman Catholics. they follow the
leadership of the Pope in the Vatican and,
together with other Christians, believe in
three beings in one God: the Creator and
Father; Jesus Christ as God become man;
and the holy Spirit.
More than 80
percent of
italians are
Roman Catholic.This is the
southernmost reach
of the Gennargentu
Mountains, Sardinia.The Doric Temple (right) in
the Valley of the Temples,
Sicily, was built during the
period 460-450 bce.Find out more
Europe
Europe, history of
Renaissance
Roman empireMary, the virgin mother
of Christ, is regarded
by Roman Catholics
as the highest of all
human beings.US_291_Italy_2.indd 291 21/01/16 5:01 pm