Italy

The economy of Italy is a developed economy of a member state of the European Union. The country's economy is traditionally characterized by large regional differences in income and economic specialization: the industrially developed north of the country is opposed by the agrarian south and stagnant central regions. Despite important economic achievements, the country's economy today suffers from structural and non-structural problems.

Italy is one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers to the world market of cars, bicycles, tractors, washing machines and refrigerators, electronic products, industrial equipment, steel pipes, plastics and chemical fibers, automobile tires, as well as ready-made clothing and leather shoes, large-scale production of cement, natural essences and essential oils from flowers and fruits, art products made of glass and earthenware, jewelry.

The food industry produces cheeses, pasta, olive oil, wines, fruit and tomato preserves.

Extraction of pyrites, mercury ores, natural gas, potash salt, dolomites, asbestos. Due to the small territory and high population density, the issue of waste recycling is acute in modern Italy.

Italy's high-intensity agriculture occupies a leading position in Europe in a number of indicators: growing grapes and wine production (1st place in the world), growing citrus fruits, tomatoes and rice (1st place in Europe), growing edible olives and olive oil production (2nd place), milk (3rd placee place). Wheat, corn, and sugar beet are intensively grown. At the same time, most of the territory is unsuitable for agriculture, the country is a major importer of food.

All branches of animal husbandry are highly developed — the largest number of goats, donkeys and buffaloes in Europe. The lack of meadows and pastures makes it difficult to breed cows and horses.

Italy has few natural resources. There are minor deposits of iron, coal and oil. The proven reserves of natural gas, mainly in the Po River valley and in the Adriatic Sea, have grown in recent years and represent the most important mineral resources of the country. Most of the raw materials needed for production and more than 80% of the energy the country imports.

Italy is the largest area of international tourism (over 50 million people a year).