The first Italian national flag was adopted on Feb. 25, 1797, by the Cispadane Republic. Its stripes were vertically positioned on May 11, 1798, and thereafter it was honored by all Italian nationalists. The design was guaranteed by a decree (March 23, 1848) of King Charles Albert of Sardinia, ordering troops to carry the flag into battle.

Italy Official name: Repubblica Italiana (Italian Republic). Form of government: republic with two legislative houses (Senate [326]; Chamber of Deputies [630]). Chief of state: President. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 57,650,000. Population projection: (2000) 57,903,000; (2010) 56,484,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 0.3 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$1,140,484,000,000 (U.S.$19,880 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 23.0%; pasture 15.4%; agriculture 37.9%; other 23.7%.

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