Italy is a peninsula watered by the Mediterranean Sea. This country has rich tradition and history, which is known mainly for the Roman Empire. Its territory is mostly mountainous. Due to this fact, the country is not agriculturally developed, as geographically is not suitable for farming (Italy Country Study Guide 156).
Italy is poor in natural resources. It is the main importer of food. Italy is rich for neither iron nor oil. However, it has some reserves of natural gas, which is the most substantial mineral resource of the country. Italy imports almost all energy sources necessary for the country. Nevertheless, it is economically developed country due to such industries as fashion, electric goods, engineering, motor vehicles, chemical industry etc. In country, firms of small and medium size prevail. Besides, the country now is one of the largest producers of renewable energy (Italy Country Study Guide 159).
With the growing number of developing industries, the problems concerning environmental issues appear. In Italy, firms are owned by families, as a rule. The Rima family, for example, owns large steel industry and is being accused of polluting the environment, hence committing environmental crimes. There is also the evidence that managing directors of the firm offered officials bribes, to hide the danger that the industry might bring to the environment, which is a kind of environmental hazards. The trial has not been conducted yet, though, Fabio Riva, the senior chief manager is imprisoned for the term of six years for, being accused of fraud.
As Italy is the part of European Union, its regulations greatly assist in providing environmental protection in the country. Recently water quality has increased thanks to these regulations and the coastline appears much cleaner. It plays an important role for the country’s economy, as tourism is one of the major sources of income ("Italy's Natural Environment - Nature & Climate").
Works Cited
"Italian Natural Resources". Business-anti-corruption.com. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.
Italy Country Study Guide. Intl Business Pubns USA, 2012. Print.
