Italy, officially the Italian Republic (Italian: Italia, IPA: or Repubblica Italiana, IPA: ), is a Southern European country. It comprises the Italian Peninsula, the Po River valley, and two large islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia, and shares its northern alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. The country also shares a sea border with Croatia, and France. The independent countries of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within Italian territory. It is shaped like a boot, and for this reason it is commonly called lo stivale (Italian for the boot).
Italy was home to many well-known and influential European civilizations, including the Etruscans, Greeks and the Romans. For more than 3,000 years Italy experienced migrations and invasions from Germanic, Celtic, Frankish, Byzantine Greek, Saracen, Norman, and the French Angevin, and Lombard peoples, and was divided into many independent states until 1861 when Italy became a nation-state.
Italy is called "il Belpaese" (Italian for beautiful country) by its inhabitants, due to the beauty and variety of its landscapes and for having the world's largest artistic patrimony; the country is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (41 as of July 13 2006).
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Religion :: Society and Culture

Ananda Assisi: A Yoga and Meditation Retreat Center - Based on the kriya yoga teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and founded by Swami Kriyananda. A spiritual retreat center in the Umbrian hills that welcomes all who are seeking higher meaning and deeper values in life.
Meta Description: [ Ananda è dedicata alla condivisione degli insegnamenti universali della realizzazione del Sé, portati nel mondo occidentale da Paramhansa Yogananda, con tutti coloro che cercano di realizzare ideali elevati nelle loro vite. ]
Yoga in Italy - Organizes yoga holidays and courses in Italy particularly in the Veneto and Tuscany regions in country homes and farmhouses. Information on courses, accommodation, and teachers.
Meta Description: [ Yoga in Italy organizes yoga holidays and courses in Italy, particularly in the Veneto and Tuscany regions, near cities of cultural interest, immersed in nature, and in characteristic accommodations: country homes and farmhouses, holiday accommodation for yoga groups ]
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