Assalam o alaikum
country chose kia hai woh hai ITALY
About Italy
Italy has been called the "paradise of travelers", and its endless charms continue to draw tourists from far and wide, as they have down the centuries. Few countries offer such a diversity of scenery, from the Alpine peaks with their perpetual covering of snow to the sun-kissed coasts of Sicily; few others possess such a wealth of historical remains, left by a world empire which extended from Britain to Africa and, in later centuries, by the powerful city states of the Middle Ages; and few have such a range of magnificent museums and galleries displaying archaeological remains, art treasures from all the great periods of history, and painting and sculpture which are of central importance in the history of European art.
Facts and Statistics
Location: Southern Europe, bordering Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City)
3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 232 km, Switzerland 740 km
Capital: Rome
Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south
Population: 58,057,477 (July 2004 est.)
Ethnic Make-up: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)
Religions: predominately Roman Catholic with mature Protestant and Jewish communities and a
growing Muslim immigrant community
Government: republic
The Italian Language
Italian is the official language of Italy, and 93% of population are native Italian speakers. Around 50% of population speak a regional dialect as mother tongue. Many dialects are mutually unintelligible and thus considered by linguists as separate languages, but are not officially recognised. Friulian, one of these dialects, is spoken by 600,000 people in the north east of Italy, which is 1% of the entire population. Other northern minority languages include Ladin, Slovene, German, which enjoys equal recognition with Italian in the province of Alto-Adige, and French, which is legally recognised in the Alpine region of the Val d'Aosta.
Albanian is spoken by 0.2% of the population, mainly in the southern part of Italy, as too are Croatian and Greek.
Italian Society & Culture
Italian Family Values
- The family is the centre of the social structure and provides a stabilizing influence for its members.
- In the north, generally only the nuclear family lives together; while in the south, the extended family often resides together in one house.
- The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members.
- Appearances matter in Italy.
- The way you dress can indicate your social status, your family's background, and your education level.
- First impressions are lasting impressions in Italy.
- The concept of 'bella figura' or good image is important to Italians.
- They unconsciously assess another person's age and social standing in the first few seconds of meeting them, often before any words are exchanged.
- Clothes are important to Italians.
- They are extremely fashion conscious and judge people on their appearance.
- Dressing well is a priority in Italy.
- Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits.
- Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses.
- Elegant accessories are equally important for men and women.
Art and architecture In Italy
Until the mid-17th century, the Roman Empire and the Roman Catholic Church put Italy on the map as the hub of Western culture. Famous painters, sculptors and architects thrived, especially in Rome.
Italy has given rise to a number of architectural styles, including classical Roman, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. Italy is home to some of the most famous structures in the world, including Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The concept of a basilica — which was originally used to describe an open public court building and evolved to mean a Catholic pilgrimage site — was born in Italy.
Florence, Venice and Rome are home to many museums, but art can be viewed in churches and public buildings. Most notable is the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican, painted by Michelangelo sometime between 1508 and 1512.
Opera has its roots in Italy and many famous operas — including "Aida" and "La Traviata," both by Giuseppe Verdi, and "Pagliacci" by Ruggero Leoncavallo — were written in Italian and are still performed in the native language. More recently, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti made opera more accessible to the masses as part of the Three Tenors.
Marriages in Italy
In the past, marriages were arranged and women brought a dowry to the marriage. However, there were ways to help one's parents arrange marriage with the right person. The poorer classes, in fact, had more freedom to do so than did the wealthier ones. Dowries could be waived and often were. Currently, marriage is as free as anywhere else in the world. Except for those who enter the clergy, almost all Italians marry. But there is a custom in many families for a child to remain unmarried to care for aged parents. Divorce was forbidden until recently.
Best tourists attractions In Italy
For travelers making their way through Italy, the Colosseum is a must see. This huge Amphitheater is the largest of its kind ever built by the Roman Empire and has remained a model for sports facilities right up to modern times. Today the structure stands in stark contrast to the modern development that surrounds it, and is a prominent reminder of ancient times and the extensive history of Rome.
For travelers making their way through Italy, the Colosseum is a must see. This huge Amphitheater is the largest of its kind ever built by the Roman Empire and has remained a model for sports facilities right up to modern times. Today the structure stands in stark contrast to the modern development that surrounds it, and is a prominent reminder of ancient times and the extensive history of Rome.
A gondola ride through the canals of Venice is a tradition that travelers have been participating in for centuries. Venice is a city of islands and the canals have long been, in many ways, the city's streets. Lining the canals are the old buildings which have remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years, adding to the romantic charm. The Grand Canal is the most famous of these waterways and one of the most photographed sites in Venice.
Below the rumbling volcano of Mt Vesuvius stand the ruins of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city preserved in time by the eruption in A.D. 79. Excavations have revealed the remains of houses, markets, baths, temples, theaters, streets scarred by the tracks of chariots, and human remains. Visitors can tour the site, walk along the old streets, and see the engineering used by Romans over 2000 years ago.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually just one of many attractions in the city of Pisa, but its fame, gained from its flaw, is world renown. Work began on the tower in the 1100s and the sinking, which led to the lean, began by the time the tower reached the third story. Prior to restoration work in the 1990s, it was predicted to topple over by the year 2000. Today, visitors can climb up the stairs of the tower for a fabulous view over the city. The Leaning Tower, also known as La Torre Pendete, stands on the Piazza del Duomo.
Cinque Terre, which translates as "Five Villages", is a lovely coastal region with steep oceanside cliffs and hills. The picturesque villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore can be reached by several means, but are only joined to each other by a scenic narrow road through the hillside, or walking trails. Many travelers choose to hike between villages to truly enjoy the landscape. The small towns have maintained a feel of old world fishing villages and offer a sense of remoteness.
The Vatican is home to some of the world's most priceless art and art collections. Beyond the obvious sites of St Peter's Basilica and St Peter's square, the Vatican is home to countless attractions. The famous Sistine Chapel displays wall and ceiling paintings by Michelangelo and many of other of Italy's most famous artists.
The Roman Forum may require a little imagination to understand exactly what this area once looked like. However, its historical significance as the heart of the Roman Empire cannot be overstated. Pillars, partial structures, and foundations of former temples, market halls, courts, and public buildings pay tribute to Ancient Rome, which stood here for a thousand years.
One of the most important tourist sites in Venice is St Mark's Basilica. Most visitors wandering around Venice will find themselves in the famous square, Piazza San Marco, in front of the basilica, looking at the main west facing facade. The cathedral contains a vast treasure of artworks, but the building itself is also a work of art, with a mix of architectural styles.
The Pantheon, an exceptionally well preserved remnant from Roman times, reveals the incredible architectural achievements of the Roman Empire. The precise proportions of the building, with the height equal to the diameter, and a single beam of light penetrating the room from the top of the dome, give the room a unique character. Italian Kings and other great Italian influencers are buried in the Pantheon.
Dressing In Italy
Celebrations In Italy
Capodanno (New Year's Eve/ New Year's Day, December 31st-January 1st)
New Year's celebrations begin on December 31st with the standard 10-second countdown to midnight, and celebratory fireworks. What makes Capodanno a bit different in Italy is the food: Italians have a tradition of eating lentils on New Year's Eve, as it is believed they will bring money and good fortune in the new year.
Befana (Epiphany, January 6th)
If you are big on Santa Claus and your kids believe in magic and fairy tales, then this holiday is a perfect opportunity for combining American and Italian traditions. Italians set out a large sock, or stocking, by the fireplace on the night of the 5th, so that the old woman named Befana, a female Santa Claus-like character, will come and fill it with sweets and presents - if the child was good- or charcoal -if the child was bad. It is also customary to leave some milk and cookies for Befana to enjoy.
Carnevale (Mardi Gras/Carnevale, the two weeks before beginning of Lent).
Although the spirit and the tradition of these festivities are very different, Italians celebrate Mardi Gras/Carnevale just as Americans celebrate Everybody dresses up and children love it. There is no "trick or treat" and horror theme, however. The focus is on having fun dressed as something or somebody else. Elementary schools and kindergartens usually cease the typical daily lessons and allow the children to enjoy a day-long party on school premises.
Pasqua (Easter)
The way Italians celebrate Easter is not very different from the way it is celebrated by Americans, but Italians typically enjoy chocolate eggs and the colomba, an Easter cake similar to panettone, instead of chocolate Easter Bunnies, because rabbits are not part of the symbolism of Easter in Italian culture. It is customary to put a surprise, such as a small toy, in the chocolate egg, much to the delight of the children who receive them.
Christmas (December 25th)
The mother of all holy days is actually celebrated in Italy pretty much the same as it is in the U.S., with Christmas trees and the exchange of gifts. Many Italian families like to create a nativity scene in their home, which is not as typical in America, but setting up the display could be a fun and creative project for the family.
Some important cities of Italy
Verona
Verona isn’t just where William Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet—it’s also a beautiful city that offers a lot to do and see! From ancient Roman ruins (including an incredibly well-preserved arena) to a medieval castle, from stunning piazzas to historic churches, Verona is bursting with sightseeing opportunities. And, oh yes, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Italy… and every bit as romantic as you’d expect!
Bologna
The largest city in the region of Emilia-Romagna (and the region’s capital), Bologna is also, well, beautiful! And there’s a ton to do here. From soaking in the academic ambience (Bologna is home to Europe’s oldest university), to enjoying the region’s excellent cuisine in local trattorie, to climbing the leaning tower of Bologna (it’s not just in Pisa!), there’s something in this buzzing city for everyone.
Rome
The largest city in Italy, Rome, with its 2,500 years of history and innumerable archaeological sites, art museums, churches, and ruins, might just be the most fascinating! Despite Rome’s relatively compact (and beautiful!) historic center, you could easily spend a month exploring the city and not see everything. And, yes, there are a lot of places to see in Italy. But to come to Italy in search of its most beautiful spots and cities…
Florence
Visit Florence once, and you’ll see why it inspired so many artists and writers! With its graceful buildings, cobblestoned streets, and showstoppers like the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, Florence is a feast for the eyes. And that’s just if you’re walking around outside! Inside those buildings, even more beauty awaits, from Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia to masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and more in the Uffizi.
Pisa
If you want to get what must be the most iconic photo in Italy, Pisa’s your place. But there’s much more to Pisa than that. Yes, the Leaning Tower is spectacular—even more so in person than in pictures. But the medieval city also boasts an 11th-century Duomo chock-full of gorgeous art, the elaborate Baptistery, and beautiful palaces
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