Italy

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Chapter 6

• Italy

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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

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• 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

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• 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)

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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

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• Climate predominantly Mediterranean Alpine in
  far north hot, dry in south (CIA, World Fact
  Book)

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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.

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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

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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

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Vatican City

• home of Roman Catholicism
• administratively independent (population is only
  1000), surrounded by the city of Rome
• St. Peters 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

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Venice (Venezia)

• on the northeast coast, divided by 177 canals
  (400 bridges)
• picturesque, romantic but also dirty and rundown
  unique in the world
• St. Marks 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

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Milan (Milano)

• cosmopolitan atmosphere, a bit gray and
  monotonous
• Castello Sforzesco
• Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie Leonardo da
  Vincis The Last Supper is displayed
• Brera Museum Madonna and Child
• Museum of Science and Technology Leonardos
  inventions and designs
• Il Duomo the Gothic Cathedral
• for shoppers - boutiques of Gucci, Fendi,
  Valentino, Ferre, Armani and others

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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

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

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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

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San Marino

• set on the slopes of Mt. Titano, offers
  impressive mountain and Adriatic view
• claims to be the Europes 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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 Europes most important resort areas
• offers various attractions beaches, wild horses,
  nun seals, great fishing, mountain climbing,
  Roman ruins, sailing, reef diving, skiing, etc.

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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

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Capri

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