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"We have made
Italy: now we have to make Italians"
(Massimo d'Azeglio)
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Official Name: Italy
- Geography:
situated in the South of Europe, includes
a long-stretched peninsula, protected in
the north by the Alps mountains and in
the east, south and west by the
Mediterranean Sea. Also includes two
large islands (Sicily and Sardinia) plus
a small colonial Empire (Libya and
Italian East Africa).
- History: Italy was on the winning
side of the Great War, but was disappointed with the
small war spoils which cost almost half a
million casualties. The veterans under
the leadership of Benito Mussolini took control of the
government and started rearming Italy in
the 1920s. Italy has been an aggressive
and important player on the diplomatic
battlefields of Central Europe, the
Balkans and the Mediterranean. Recently, Italian
forces conquered the old kingdom of Abyssinia (Ethiopia).
Italy's main goal is the domination of the Mediterraenean,
the Balkans, and the Middle East.
- Political system: fascist
- Head of Government: Duce Benito Mussolini
- Head of State: King Victor Immanuel III
- Treaties: -
- Economic system: capitalist
- Economy: medium sized. Industry concentrated in the North.
- Demography: high birth rate. Young population of about 40 mln.
- Morale: above average.
- Armed forces: 1,331,200 men (2/3rds of them are conscripts).
Reserves: almost 5 million men. Quality of men is doubtful because of
poor training. Quality of military equipment is doubtful as well, since
Italy has rearmed its forces earlier than other nations: its early
advantage in weaponry could soon turn into a burden due to maintenance
costs. The Italian air force is large, some 6,000 planes but contains
quite a few obsolescent aircraft. Its navy is of good quality and is
building the latest type of battleships.
- Status: Italy is one of the major powers.
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