By: Lydia Blume

Timeline Italy enters WWI on side of Allies Italy gains Trentino, South Tyrol, and Trieste under peace treaties Fascist leader Mussolini forms government after three years of political and economic unrest Lateran Treaty creates state of Vatican City Italy invades Ethiopia Mussolini forms friendship with Nazi Germany Italy enters WWII on German side.

Timeline continued Sicily invaded by Allies. King Victor Emmanuel III imprisons Mussolini. Italy declares war on Germany Italy creates a new constitution Italy joins United Nations Bettino Craxi becomes Italy’s first Socialist prime minister since war-flees the country in 1993 and dies in Euro becomes main currency April, Parliament ratifies EU constitution Current president, Giorgio Napolitano, was sworn into presidency.

Location

Historical Figures Benito Mussolini- Italian Fascist dictator. Enrico Fermi- Physicist who is known for his work on the first nuclear reactor. Noble Prize in Physics winner Gianni Caproni- engineer who founded Caproni aircraft manufacturing company. All the Popes Enrico Cecchetti- founder of Cecchetti ballet method

Historical Locations Vatican City- world’s smallest independent country. This is where the Pope lives. The Coliseum- 165 ft tall, 600 ft long. Gladiators battle it out in blood soaked fights, many spectators. Leaning Tower of Pisa-leaning bell tower beside the Duomo di Pisa cathedral. Venice-City on water. Stretches over 117 islands.

Culture Renaissance – means “rebirth”, span of time from the 13 th -17 th centuries when transitioning from Medieval to Early Modern Europe. Main Religion: Catholic Italian cuisine: includes large use of tomatoes, potatoes,pasta, maize, and bell peppers. Politics: in 1946, the people decided to change from a monarchy with a king to a republic headed by a president. President serves 7 year terms. No vice president Main Language: Italian

GDP and Currency 2011 GDP estimate: – Total:$1.828 trillion – Per Capita:$30,165 Currency: – : Lira – 2002-present: Euro – 1 Euro = U.S. dollars

Popular Natural Resources Coal Mercury Zinc Marble Feldspar Natural gas reserves Crude oil reserves Fish Marble Zinc Mercury

Labor Employment and Labor Force participation rate have increased since late 1990s/early 2000s Unemployment Rate: – 12% mid-1990s – 6% in 2007 Employment rates lower than most European countries.

Economy World’s 8 th largest economy Reason for Economic Crisis: – $2.6 trillion debt – Poor productivity –Italian workers have been clocking more hours but producing less – Mafia tries to over throw government – The south: The north and central region’s GDP rate is about 40% higher than that of the south. South has higher rates of crime, black market, and unemployment,South hold’s 1/3 of population and is holding back Italy from excelling out of economic crisis.

Vacation Destinations These are the most popular cities to visit in Italy. A few are: Venice-city of water Rome- capital Florence- Renaissance city Naples-lies between two volcanoes

Political Map Popular tourist destinations: – Rome – Venice – Vatican City – Florence

Physical Map