Location: Tuscany, northwest Italy.
Country dialling code: 39.
Population: 493,000 (city).
Ethnic mix: Predominantly Italian, with European, North American and Albanian minorities.
Religion: 98% Catholic, 2% other.
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs or three-pin plugs are in use.
Average January temp: 5°C (41°F).
Average July temp: 35°C (95°F).
Annual rainfall: 640mm (25.6 inches).