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ITALY’S GEOGRAPHY & LANDSCAPE

Mount Etna Mount Etna is an active

volcano on the Italian island of Sicily. It is the highest active volcano in Europe at 10,900 feet (3,320 meters). Geologicial observations indicate that Etna’s eruptions go back as far as 3,500 years. While recent eruptions have rarely caused serious damage to the farms or villages in the shadow of the volcano, locals remain alert to any activity. Italian authorities have used explosives, concrete dams, and ditches to divert lava flows away from populated areas.

northern parts of the country have an alpine climate, while the southern parts are hotter and drier. During the summer, northern Italy is warm and experiences plenty of rain, while the central portions of the country are quite humid, and southern Italy is hot and dry. During the winter, the north is cold and damp, with some areas reaching near-freezing temperatures, but the south has a mild winter, with temperatures rarely dipping below 50 degrees F (around 10 degrees C). Natural Disasters Natural disasters in Italy range from mudslides and avalanches to volcanic eruptions (Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna are two well-known active volcanoes in Italy). The country has also suffered some catastrophic 14