Discover Vibrant Italy: A Rich Tapestry of Culture and History

1. Chapter 6 Italy

2. Italy • Country name: Italian Republic, Italy • Capital: Rome • Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia • Border countries: Austria, France, Holy See (Vatican City), San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland

4. Government type: republic • Population: 57,998,353 (July 2003 est.) • Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) • Religions: predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a growing Muslim immigrant community

5. GDP – per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,100 (2002 est.)(26th in the world) (2002 est.) • Industries: tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics • Currency: euro (EUR) (CIA, World Fact Book)

6. Important Facts • Among the top 5 destinations in the world • 39,8 million international tourist arrivals • $ 26,9 billion international tourism receipts (WTO, 2003) • Coastline: 7,600 km • Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands

7. Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south(CIA, World Fact Book)

8. Selling Points • Culture (ancient, old and modern), fabulous food, historic sites, varied and stunning scenery, beaches, jagged coastline, architecture, skiing, opera, water sports, health and beauty spas, ruins and shopping for clothing, shoes and designer goods.

9. Brief History • Influence of Roman Empire (from 27 BC until AD 476) is wide-spread all around the world (Europe, Africa, Asia) • People of Italy have civilized Europe twice; once in the ancient times (through Greek ideals and Roman Justice) and then after the Middle Ages (forefront of Western civilization during the Renaissance: work of Galileo, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci) • achieved its political unity in 1870, now still has 20 distinct regions • one of the most densely populated countries in Europe

10. Rome (Roma) • city of ancient and modern wonders, spread among seven hills • untidy and disorganized, can be seen on foot • Palazzo Massimo, Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Venezia hundreds of churches - ancient sites of Rome • Villa Borghese (a large park with gardens, a zoo, and several museums including the Museo Borghese – one of the most beautiful in Italy) • Trastevere; great for walks and sidewalk cafes • ancient ruins are lit at night and very beautiful

11. Vatican City • home of Roman Catholicism • administratively independent (population is only 1000), surrounded by the city of Rome • St. Peter’s Basilica; dome is designed by Michelangelo; also his “Pieta” is exhibited there • the “grotto”; place where St Peter and other popes are interred • Apostolic buildings, gardens, museums housing a fantastic collection of art • Sistine Chapel; ceiling was painted by Michelangelo • no passports are needed to enter

12. Venice (Venezia) • on the northeast coast, divided by 177 canals (400 bridges) • picturesque, romantic but also dirty and rundown; unique in the world • St. Mark’s Square and its 11th century church, Doges’ Palace, Campanile, Bridge of Sighs • Venetian glass • Lido (across the Grand Canal from Venice) has beautiful beaches and crystal factories • gondolas and vaporettis for transportation in the city - no cars allowed • carnival in February or early March - historical costumes, masks, balls in the streets

13. Milan (Milano) • cosmopolitan atmosphere, a bit gray and monotonous • Castello Sforzesco • Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie; Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” is displayed • Brera Museum; “Madonna and Child” • Museum of Science and Technology; Leonardo’s inventions and designs • Il Duomo; the Gothic Cathedral • for shoppers - boutiques of Gucci, Fendi, Valentino, Ferre, Armani and others

14. Florence (Firenze) • lies in Tuscany (a stunning province of hills and mountains) • among its famous sons are: da Vinci, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo • Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square); to see the heart of the city climb 463 steps; Duomo Cathedral (made from red, white, green marble) • Uffizi Gallery; Italian and European masterworks form 13th to 18th century including Boticelli, Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, Rembrandt and others

15. Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge); dates back to 1345 on river Arno, with shops on the sides • Museum of History of Science; Galileo’s telescope, compass and middle finger

16. Siena • picturesque, well preserved medieval town • lies in the Tuscany wine region • Gothic Cathedral and Palazzo Pubblico; impressive frescoes • Torre del Mangia; to have nice view of the town • Palio horse race; beginning of July, parades and costumes

17. San Marino • set on the slopes of Mt. Titano, offers impressive mountain and Adriatic view • claims to be the Europe’s oldest and smallest republic • surrounded by Italy, located inland from the Italian coastal city of Rimini • one of the highest per capita income in the world; discounted shops and tourism • capital named San Marino; medieval town center, no cars allowed; narrow streets lined with red-roofed stone houses, medieval ramparts and somber fortresses

18. Pompeii • in AD 79 Mt. Vesuvius eruption covered Pompeii and nearby Herculaneum with tufa stone and volcanic mud • the cities were discovered by a farmer while digging for a well (18th century) • the two cities give a real grasp of the life in the Roman Empire; ancient paved streets, central town square, temples, etc.

19. Pisa • day trip from Florence • Leaning Tower; 14th century Romanesque style; 294 stairs; tourists are not allowed • Church of San Michele degli Scalzi; the other leaning tower completed in the 13th century • narrow streets, great ambience

20. The Riviera (Liguria) • The Italian Riviera, an extension of the French Riviera, stretches 250 km from the French border to Livorno in Tuscany • Sandy to rocky beaches, mountains, villages, enchanting scenery, remarkable culture • Portofino; one of the most beautiful sections of the Riviera – mountains, bays, forests, national park, villas.

21. Lake District • Near the Swiss border, includes Lake Como, Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore • Lake Como • Torre del Comune monument • The Gothic-Renaissance cathedral • 13th century Broletto (once the city hall) • Towns; Tremezzo, Piona, Stresa, Bellagio are worth to see

22. Naples (Napoli) • fairly dirty port city, but has beautiful bay • Mt. Vesuvius; the volcano • home of the Great Caruso and pizza • Church of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli; 16th century church • Several museums; the National Archeological Museum, the Museo Nazionale de San Martino etc.

23. Sardinia • a very striking island 240 km west of Rome in the Tyrrhenian Sea • while approaching by boat, impressive colors reflected in the rocks • has Europe’s most important resort areas • offers various attractions: beaches, wild horses, nun seals, great fishing, mountain climbing, Roman ruins, sailing, reef diving, skiing, etc.

24. Sicily • mountainous island • famous for its Mafia families (Mafia tours to sea various “family” activities and the graves of infamous godfathers and victims) • home of Mt. Etna; an active volcano • Palermo; the ancient capital and the largest city of the island

25. Capri • a rocky island • superb restaurants, good shopping, water sports, churches, castles, wonderful streets