Driving Directions Italy
ITALY is a republic in southern Europe, which comprises a large peninsula and the two main islands of Sicily (Sicilia) and Sardinia (Sardegna). The huge peaks of the Alps and the Dolomites form Italy’s northern border with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.
Towards the mountains’ foothills lie several large lakes, of which the most famous are Maggiore, Como, and Garda. The Adriatic Sea to the east separates Italy from the countries of former Yugoslavia. The fertile Plain of Lombardy lies to the south of the Alps. Numerous rivers rise in the northern mountains, and many become tributaries of the great River Po, which flows eastwards and drains the Lombardy Plain before emptying into the Adriatic Sea.