Italy Unit 2

Climate/Geography Location: Italian peninsula in Southern Europe Climate: Mainly Mediterranean -South is more hot and dry - Colder in the north (near Alps Mts.) Highlands: Apennines Mountains Small islands: Sicily, Sardinia, other small islands

Government Capital: Rome Government type: Constitutional Republic Head of State: President Head of Government: Prime Minister Similar to a Vice President, they are chosen by the President Assembly: Senate & Chamber of Deputies (similar to USA)

Economy Main industries: Currency: Euro tourism, iron & steel, textiles, cars, clothing, footwear, ceramics Currency: Euro 1 Euro - $1.11 US

Demography/Culture Population: 58+ million Language: Italian (official) Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, small Protestant, Jewish & Muslim communities Life Expectancy (77-M) (83-F) Literacy rate: 98.4% State run health care system Art: Leonardo Da Vinci & Michelangelo

Brief History In 753 BC, Romulus & Remus founded Rome brothers of Gods who were raised by a she-wolf On March 15, 44 BC, the King, Julius Caesar, was murdered by senators and his best friend In 1922, Benito Mussolini took power away from the King of Italy (without a fight) and became the supreme ruler During World War II, Italy was initially neutral, but then joined with Germany

Tourism Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Spanish steps Vatican City: smallest country in the world- home to the pope -Vatican museums & Sistine chapel -St. Peter’s Basilica

Tourism Continued Gondola Ride Leaning Tower of Pisa

Tourism Continued Pantheon Tuscany Colosseum Rialto Bridge

Interesting Facts Italy is the most crowded nation in Europe. The city of Rome is almost 3000 years old. Is known for the production of Sports cars like Lamborghini and Ferrari In Italy people make more than 140 varieties of “Pasta” Has the most volcanoes in all of Europe Soon after the finishing of the Pisa Tower in 1173, it stared to lean. The leaning Tower of Pisa

Food