9 Unreached minorities:

a) The minorities in the northeast

b) The Greek and Croatian minorities in the south

c) Albanians

d) Muslims

e) Africans from all over Africa, especially Eritrea, who have immigrated seeking work or fleeing war and famine

f) Italy's long coastline has become a funnel for millions of illegal immigrants into the EU

10 The need for expatriate missionaries is great but the casualty rate has been unacceptably high in the past, with only 10% on average returning for a second term

11 Literature and Bible distribution have not had a wide impact due to the reluctance of Italians to read

12 Christian radio and TV has become a fruitful ministry since government controls on local broadcasting were relaxed

Religion

Roman Catholicism ceased to be the state religion in 1984.

Churches in Italy

Missionaries from Italy

217 in 19 agencies to 18 countries

Missionaries to Italy

549 in 94 agencies from 29 countries

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Geography

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Area 301,000 sq.km. A long, mountainous peninsula that dominates the central Mediterranean Sea.

Population (2000) 57,297,886 -0.01%AGR

Capital Rome 3.8 mill.

Peoples

Indigenous 94.7%; Non-indigenous peoples 5.3%.

Literacy 98%. Official language Italian, but vigorous use of nine regional languages akin to Italian. All languages 33. Languages with Scriptures 7Bi 3NT 14por.

Economy

Highly industrialized, Italy is the world's 7^th largest economy. HDI 0.900; 19^th/174. Public debt 125% of GNP. Income/person $20,170 (64% of USA).

Politics

United as a single state in 1870.

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