Fashion is another important part of Italian society. Italian designers such as, Armani, Prada, Gucci, Versace, and Valentino (just to name a few), are considered to be some of the finest in the world. The city of Milan takes its place amongst the most prestigious and important centers of fashion in the world.

Church garments:

St. Peter's Basilica from Castel Sant'Angelo
Roman Catholicism is the major religion of Italy. There are mature Protestent and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim community, the latter made up primarily of new immigrants. All religious faiths are provided equal freedom by the constitution. Before the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the state, in the fourth century, the country was officially pagan and worshipped the Roman gods, although there was great religious tolerance.

Italy is a major user of nickel. Total Italian use in 2002 was 117 kte (primary and recycled nickel units) which represented around 16% of EU demand. This demand is satisfied through a combination of imports of refined nickel and recycling of existing nickel. Through its critical use in nickel-containing alloys, it has a major impact on leading Italian industries such as stainless steel. In turn, the use of nickel-containing alloys in many important products manufactured in Italy means that the impact of nickel is substantial in many end-use markets.

Unemployment rate in Italy (and in Germany and France) is higher than in the US, but not SO much (6.5 It average, while 4.3 in Northern Italy; 4,5 US), while in almost all other Western European Countries is lower (4% or less), like in developed Asian Countries.
Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates. The current government has enacted numerous short-term reforms aimed at improving competitiveness and long-term growth. Italy has moved slowly, however, on implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension system, because of the current economic slowdown and opposition from labor unions. But the leadership faces a severe economic constraint: the budget deficit has breached the 3% EU ceiling. The economy experienced low growth in 2006, and unemployment remained at a high level.