1. Italy
The Italian flag is white, green, and red. The green is always by the flagpole.
There are two versions of the meaning of these colors.
Green = hope, White = faith, and Red = charity
Green = the Italian landscape, White = the snow of the Alps, Red = the blood of the Italian people.

2. Italy does not have a king or queen
Italy does not have a king or queen. The head of the country is called the president. The people choose their own leaders similar to the United States of America.
U.S.A president George W. Bush greets Italian president Carlo Ciampi on April 7, 2005.

3. Italy is a country located on the continent of Europe.
It is a boot-shaped peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea. A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides but is still connected to the mainland.
The counties that border Italy are France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.

4. Rome is the capital of Italy
Rome is the capital of Italy. It is famous for its ancient fountains, statues, and monuments.
One of the most famous monuments in Rome is the Colosseum.
Romans watched gladiators fight wild animals in this stadium.

5. In the center of Rome is a separate city called The Vatican City
In the center of Rome is a separate city called The Vatican City. This is the home of the Pope, the head of the world’s Roman Catholic religion.

6. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world. It is very famous. Next to it is the Sistine Chapel where an artist named Michelangelo painted the ceiling. He painted scenes from the Bible on the ceiling. It took him over four years to complete!

7. Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world
Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. It is quiet now. But 2,000 years ago, the most amazing eruption took place and destroyed the city of Pompeii.

8. The city was completely buried in volcanic ash and mud, killing the entire population of Pompeii and the nearby city of Herculaneum.
The city was never rebuilt after the destruction. Today, you can visit the remains or ruins of the two towns.

9. One famous city in Italy is Venice
One famous city in Italy is Venice. It is famous because it does not have streets or automobiles. The city is located on water. People travel only by boats or walking. The buildings stand on posts in the mud.

10. Italian Food is Delicious. Italian foods are famous around the world
Italian Food is Delicious! Italian foods are famous around the world. Pizza was first made in Naples, Italy. Pizza means “pie” in Italian.

11. Another Italian food is pasta, such as spaghetti, and risotto, a creamy rice dish.

12. Italians eat one food at a time during a meal
Italians eat one food at a time during a meal. First comes the pasta or rice with fresh crusty bread. Then comes meat or fish. A salad or vegetable comes third. Finally, the meal ends with fruit or cheese.
Italian ice cream and coffees are also famous. Ice cream in Italy is called gelato.

13. The favorite sport in Italy is soccer
The favorite sport in Italy is soccer. Italians often watch soccer games on Sunday afternoons. Children collect pictures of soccer players. Italians also enjoys skiing, bicycle racing, and car racing.

14. Italy has competed in all the modern Olympic games, except in 1904 Summer Olympics. They have won 494 medals at the Summer Olympic Games. They have won more gold metals than any other country, except for the USA and the Soviet Union.