Europe · neighbouring countries

Neighboring Countries of Italy

Q: Which is the longest border of Italy?

The longest land border of Italy is with Switzerland (698 km); the shortest is with Vatican City (3 km).

Q: How long are the land borders of Italy?

The land borders of Italy total 1,836 km. By number of neighbours Italy ranks #21 among 236 countries and territories.

Italy shares land borders with 6 countries: Switzerland (698 km), France (476 km), Austria (404 km), Slovenia (218 km), San Marino (37 km) and Vatican City (3 km).

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Country

Neighbouring countries (#21 of 236)

1,836 km

Total land borders

7,600 km

Coastline

301,340

Area in km²

Italy
Neighbouring countries
Neighbours of neighbours

Countries bordering Italy

Neighbour	Border length	Capital	Visa for Italy citizens
Switzerland	698 km	Bern	Freedom of movement
France	476 km	Paris	Freedom of movement
Austria	404 km	Vienna	Freedom of movement
Slovenia	218 km	Ljubljana	Freedom of movement
San Marino	37 km	San Marino	Visa-free
Vatican City Vatican City	3 km	Vatican City	Visa-free

Switzerland accounts for 38% of Italy's 1,836 km of land borders. Lengths: CIA World Factbook (public domain).

Geography of Italy

Location

Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia

Area

301,340 km² — almost twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona

Terrain

Mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands

Climate

Predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south

Highest and lowest points

Highest: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) 4,748 m. Lowest: Mediterranean Sea 0 m. Mean elevation: 538 m.

Natural resources

Coal, antimony, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land

Natural hazards

Regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m) is Europe's most active volcano, and its flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, have both been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini

Good to know

Strategic location dominating central Mediterranean, as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe

Neighbours of Italy's neighbours

Countries one border further away — reachable overland through a neighbouring country.

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Frequently asked questions about the borders of Italy

How many countries border Italy?

Italy shares land borders with 6 countries: Switzerland (698 km), France (476 km), Austria (404 km), Slovenia (218 km), San Marino (37 km) and Vatican City (3 km).

Which is the longest border of Italy?

The longest land border of Italy is with Switzerland (698 km); the shortest is with Vatican City (3 km).

Is Italy landlocked?

No. Italy has 7,600 km of coastline.

How long are the land borders of Italy?

The land borders of Italy total 1,836 km. By number of neighbours Italy ranks #21 among 236 countries and territories.

Do Italy citizens need a visa for neighbouring countries?

Italy citizens can visit 6 of 6 neighbouring countries visa-free: Switzerland, France, Austria, Slovenia, San Marino and Vatican City.

What is the highest point of Italy?

Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) 4,748 m. The lowest point is Mediterranean Sea 0 m.

Borders and geography: CIA World Factbook (public domain). Visa rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset, AXG Sp. z o.o. (CC BY 4.0).