Physical Features
Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. Its most prominent feature is its boot-like shape kicking the island of Sicily.Much of Italy is covered by mountains. The Dolomite mountains which extend across northern Italy are part of the Alps mountain range. The Apennine mountains cut down the center of Italy, stretching from north to south, dividing the east and west coasts.
The Po Valley, just south of the Dolomite mountains, is the basin of the Po River. It is fertile farm land.
Italy includes two large islands: Sicily and Sardinia. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with active volcanoes and earthquakes. Sardinia is basically mountains rising out of the ocean. Italy also has two independent countries within its borders. Vatican City is the center for the Roman Catholic Church, and is the world's smallest country. San Marino, on the north east coast of Italy, is an independent republic. |
Next to the mountains and the seas, come the valleys and the plain lands in the Geography of Italy . The Italian plain known as the Padan Plain is drained by the longest river of Italy - the Po (652 km) and its numerous tributaries and distributaries, mostly flowing down from the Alps and Apennines to join it. Some of the tributaries of Po River like Mincio, Dora Baltea, Trebbia and Secchia bring in extensive alluvial deposits on the plain, increasing its fertility and making it appropriate for cultivation. Some other notable Italian rivers include:
Bibliography
http://www.kidport.com/reflib/worldgeography/italy/italy.htm
http://www.mapsofworld.com/italy/geography.html (Both sites accessed on 26th may 2015)
Italy by Citalia 2015 - 2016 Edition Two (Travel brochure)
- Tiber or Tevere
- Volturno
- Tagliamento
- Liri-Garigliano
- Isonzo
- Adige
- Arno
- Piave
- Reno
Bibliography
http://www.kidport.com/reflib/worldgeography/italy/italy.htm
http://www.mapsofworld.com/italy/geography.html (Both sites accessed on 26th may 2015)
Italy by Citalia 2015 - 2016 Edition Two (Travel brochure)