Italy’s Economic Status By: Stephanie Minutillo

Thesis Italy is a country that has an economy reliant upon its fashion and tourism industries. “Since World War II (1939-1945), Italy has shifted from a predominantly agricultural economy to one based on modern industries.” (Worldbookonline).

Background Information Italian is a European country. The ethnic divisions of Italy include Italian, German, French, Albania, Slovenian and Greek. The main language of Italy is Italian. Italy is populated by 60,723,085 people. Rome is Italy’s most populated city with 2,419,287 inhabitants. The northern part of Italy is very urbanized, while the southern part of Italy is more agriculturally inclined.

Inquiry research The fashion industry makes up 10-12% of Italy’s manufacturing economy. Gianni Versace (1946-1997), was known for his original, unusual and showy clothing items made from peculiar materials, such as rubber and metal. Gianni Versace started the trend of using supermodels in runway shows. Giorgio Armani (1934-…) created the fashion sensation that was the unconstructed jacket. Rome, Milan and Florence were ranked the 6th, 8th, and 16th global fashion cities.

Inquiry research Tourism makes up 10% of the economy in Italy. About 40 million tourists flock to Italy every year. Some of the most famous tourist destinations in Italy are Genoa, Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples and Tuscany. Attractions in or around these cities where tourists thrive are The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Coliseum, the Pantheon, Mt. Etna, the Amalfi Coast, the Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza San Giovanni, and the Palatine Museum. The tourism industry of Italy is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

Historical Perspective “Already in ancient times, Italy was and economic centre in Europe. With the fall of the Roman Empire, an economic downturn began, which was stopped during the Middle Ages at least in northern Italy.” (zainoo.com). The Roman Colosseum was built during the Roman Empire, and still exists in Rome today. The Colosseum now provides for a part of the tourist industry. Because of the aftermath of World War II, Italy’s economic status had started to decline. Once the country had started to recover from the economic shock, the fashion and tourism industries had helped the economy build back up.

Ethnography Q: What knowledge do you already have of Italy? A: “When I think of Italy, the unique boot-shape of the country creates a memorable image for me. I feel that pizza, pasta, soccer, and cannoli are all icons for Italy. Italy seems to be known for its delectable food and their soccer stars.” Q: What do you know about Italy’s current economic status? A: “Italy’s economy must rely heavily on its tourism industry, since so many people dream of traveling there. I think that tourism industry is so great in Italy because Italy is home to many magnificent cities and beaches which would provide to be many popular attractions to tourists. I would assume that the fashion industry impacts Italy’s economy. I know of many Italian designers, one of the being Gianni Versace. “

What I learned I learned about Italy's economy. I learned just how much the fashion and tourism industries actually impact the economy. If I were to research more about Italy, I would want to research more about the culture.