Italy

1. Italy Justin Martino Pd. 8/9 4/15/11

2. Flag of Italy • Three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red • White - peace and honesty • Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valorh • Green - hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance

3. The population of Italy is approximately 60,157,214 • Italy is ranked 23rd in the world for population. South Africa is 24th and the UK is 22nd.

4. The life expectancy of Italy is 81.4 years. • Italy is ranked 10th in the world for life expectancy. Australia is ranked 9th and Canad is ranked 12th. • Italian is the official language of Italy, and 93% of population are native Italian speakers.. • Hello- Ciao • Goodbye- Addio • How are you- Come va • Please- Per Favore • Thank you- Grazie

5. Religion • Christianity is the main religion of people in Italy. • Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, God having become human and the saviour of humanity. Because of this, Christians commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah. The saving work of Christ on the cross is often referred to as the Gospel message, or good news. The three largest groups in the world of Christianity are the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, and the various denominations of Protestantism. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox patriarchates split from one another in the East–West Schism of 1054 AD, and Protestantism came into existence during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, splitting from the Roman Catholic Church.

6. Italian Holidays: • January 7th-Giornata Nazionale della Bandiera (Flag Day)—celebrated principally in Reggio nell'Emilia • November 1st-Ognissanti (All Saints Day)

7. Spaghetti and Meatballs • Ingredients • 1 pound spaghetti • Salt, for pasta water • Meatballs: • 1 1/4 pounds ground sirloin • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it • 1 egg, beaten • 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • Salt and pepper • Sauce: • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes • 4 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped • 1 small onion, finely chopped • 1 cup beef stock, available on soup aisle in market in small paper boxes • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes • A handful chopped flat-leaf parsley • 10 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced • Grated cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, for passing at table • Crusty bread or garlic bread, for passing at the table • Directions • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. • Place a large pot of water on to boil for spaghetti. When it boils, add salt and pasta and cook to al dente. • Mix beef and Worcestershire, egg, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Roll meat into 1 1/2 inch medium-sized meatballs and place on nonstick cookie sheet or a cookie sheet greased with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake balls 10 to 12 minutes, until no longer pink. • Heat a deep skillet or medium pot over moderate heat. Add oil, crushed pepper, garlic and finely chopped onion. Saute 5 to 7 minutes, until onion bits are soft. Add beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. • Toss hot, drained pasta with a few ladles of the sauce and grated cheese. Turn meatballs in remaining sauce. Place pasta on dinner plates and top with meatballs and sauce and extra grated cheese. Serve with bread or garlic bread (and some good chianti!)

8. Tourist attractions • Tuscany Cycling • The Tuscany spirit is one of generous exuberance. You immediately sense it in the mild climate, the lush vineyards over spilling the country hillsides and the welcoming warmth of the Tuscan people. We'll savor traditional cuisine and wine tastings as we ride to centuries-old fortified towns, villas and palazzi. Our destinations range from the Renaissance town of Pienza to the Crete Senesi, whose stark, beautiful hills and solitary cypress trees starred in The English Patient, and finally to enchanting Siena – an atmospheric city filled with majestic gothic architecture. Throughout our journey we visit the finest hill towns in Tuscany.