Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Repubblica Italiana: Italian Republic
Repubblica Italiana: Italian Republic
Flag
Population: 61.3 million people live in Italy (2013)
Emblem
Capital: Roma (Rome), which is often called 'Eternal City', with 2.6 mio inhabitants and Italys biggest city. Name: Repubblica Italiana (Italian Republic), Nickname: 'Bel Paese' which means beautiful country Government: Democracy, Republic Language: Italian as well as German, French and Ladin in some regions in Northern Italy. Literacy: More than 98% can read and write. Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 90%) Currency: 1 Euro=100 cents, before 2001 Italian Lira History: The country has a long history, as Rome its capital city today was founded in 753BC. After the Roman Empire broke down in 395AD, there were many separate kingdoms and city states. However, Italy became one nation only in 1861 and since then includes the islands of Sicily and Sardegna. It was a kingdom until 1946 after the second World War, where Italy sided with the German Nazis. Italy is founding member of the European Union (EU) and the NATO. Flag: The colors represent these virtues: hope (green), faith (white), and charity (red).
In the North, the mountain range of the Alps separates Italy from the other European countries France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The highest mountain of Italy can be found in the Alps. It is the Monte Bianco, better known as Mont Blanc, which is 4,807m. There are many long and deep lakes in the North of Italy, bevor the country flattens in the Po Valley. The Po is Italys longest river. The Apennines are another big mountain range which go all along the boot and separate the East and the West of the country. In the South of Italy you will find Italys three active volcanoes: Vesuvius near Naples, Etna on Sicily and Stromboli off the Coast of Italy. Italy is subdivided in 20 regions, like Tuscany, Veneto (around Venice) and Lazio (around Rome). Did you know that Italy surrounds two of the worlds smallest countries ? These are San Marino in Northern Italy, the oldest republic in the world and Vatican City in Rome, the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is led by the Pope and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, led by the Pope. In the South of Italy you will find Italys three active volcanoes: Vesuvius near Naples, Etna on Sicily and Stromboli off the Coast of Italy. Italy is subdivided in 20 regions, like Tuscany, Veneto (around Venice) and Lazio (around Rome). Did you know that Italy surrounds two of the worlds smallest countries? These are San Marino in Northern Italy, the oldest republic in the world and Vatican City in Rome, the smallest country in the world. Vatican City is led by the Pope and is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, led by the Pope.
Italy Attractions
Rome: Great place to learn about Romans and Ancient History Ravenna: See stunning mosaics and splendid churches Tuscany: great place to chill in the countryside with lovely towns and villages Florence: Home of Italian Arts Pisa: Leaning Tower Venice: Lagoon City build on islands and known for its Carnival Alps: Great for skiing, hiking and relaxed holidays and Bolzanos Natural History Museum with Oetzi, the mummy from the Ice-age is great for kids too.
Italian Food
The Italian main dishes contain: pork and beef, seafood and potatoes, rice and pasta (wheat and egg noodles) products. Pizza is surely one of the most famous exports and in Italy it is usually baked in a wood-fired oven and very thin, but loaded with fresh vegetables or thinly sliced ham, salami, artichokes or olives.The Italian pasta is renowned worldwide and there are more than 200 different shapes. Italians love their food and many dishes are based on fresh vegetables and seafood too. There are delicious sweet cakes in Italy, like the Panettone (a yeast cake with raisins), Panforte (a hard and flat fruit cake) and almond pastries like amaretti. Here is some typical Italian food: Pizza: probably the most famous Italian dish, it was invented in Napoli/Naples around 1860 Calzone: just a folded up pizza Pesto: thick green sauce with olives, herbs and olive oil, pine kernels and parmiggiano cheese. Healthy and mmmmh! Gelato: ice-cream is an Italian invention Lasagna: layered pasta dish with tomato, mozzarella cheese and mince meat filling. Mozzarella: Italian cheese balls, originally made from buffalo milk Did you know that Italians eat spaghetti only with a fork?