Italy

Overview

The Italian Republic is a country situated in south-central Europe. Italy is a unitary parliamentary republic. The county is unique because its capital Rome controlled most of the Europe region and European culture and customs backdate to the Roman era.

The country recorded a population of 60.36 million in 2019 and covers an area of 301,340 km2.

The capital city is Rome. Rome is the home to the world’s smallest country; Vatican City.

The richest Italian city is Milan which is the capital of Lombardy territory in Northern Italy.

The Rialto Bridge In Venice

History

Italy joined the First World War siding with the Allies in 1914. Benito Mussolini formed a government and who ruled by Neo dictatorship in 1922.

Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935. Mussolini formed a union with Nazi Germany in 1936.

A new constitution was formed in 1948 whereby the Christian Democrats won.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is based on the Roman culture which is demonstrated through art, architecture, music, literature, opera, design, film and food.

The main crops are rice, wheat, corn, tomatoes, oranges, barley, apples, sugar beets and potatoes.

The popular dishes in the country include Bolognese, pizza, lasagna, ossobuco, risotto, truffles and Fiorentina steak.

Wildlife

Common wildlife animals include the European snow vale, Eurasian lynx, Italian wolf, Marcin brown, Gray wolf and small alpine marmot.

Festivals & events

The festivals celebrated include Carnevale, Palio di Siena, Battle of oranges, Infiorata Festival, Patron Saint Feast Day and Game of the Bridge.

Things to see

There is the Colleseum, which is a very large amphitheatre in Rome built during the rule of Flavian Emperors.

Also, people like visiting the Venice Canals, one of the main water-traffic corridors in Venice city.

There is also the famous Pompeii, a large archaeological site that was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It has preserved objects and houses that tourists can explore.

Other places to visit are Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Lake Como and Leaning Tower of Pisa.