Rome, the Winter Olympics, Wine, Ferrari, beautiful beaches - Italy has it all. If you are considering traveling to Italy, these are some things you need to know.
An Overview of Italy for Travelers
From a European perspective, there is little doubt that Italy is the bedrock of modern society in the West. This is conclusion is primarily due to two facts, the reign of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church.
In more modern times, Italy changed into a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, together with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor Emmanuel II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito Mussolini established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Fascist Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War Two.
A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and industrial revival followed. Italy was a charter member of the ECU Business Community. It's been at the forefront of ECU business and political unification. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, lethargic industrial expansion, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared to the prosperous north.
If you're going to Italy, these are some basic things you must know.
1. Northern Italy is loaded whilst the south is not.
2. Italy is slightly larger of Arizona.
3. Italy's climate is mainly Mediterranean with Alpine in far north and hot, dry areas in the south.
4. Vatican City in Rome is considered an independent country.
5. You cannot get into any area of the Vatican wearing shorts.
6. Rome had the 1st paved streets in the world in 170 B.C. Vehicles needed to be banned due to traffic jams!
7. Roman gladiators were the first athletes to endorse products.
8. Considered one of the oddest Emperors, Caligula appointed his pony to a senate position among other more infamous actions.
9. Roman ordinances were awfully practical. The heads could be removed and replaced to reflect the changes in political climate.
10. When the Roman army lost a battle, they really took it hard. Commanders would kill every tenth soldier under their command. This act is the root of the word "decimate."
11. Surprising to many is the fact there were serious time periods where traditional Rome had no Emperor. The senate would rule. In times of threat, the senate would elect somebody as Emperor. He had absolute power, giving rise to the term dictator.
12. Huge pc.s of Romans died from lead poisoning. They used is as a sweetener!
13. In the early 1900's, Prince Piero Ginori Conti invented the geothermal pump. He is considered the daddy of modern geothermal power.
14. 20 Italians have won the Nobel Prize.
15. Michelangelo's actual name is Michelangelo Buonarroti.
16. The population of Italy as of 2005 was 58,103,033 people.
17. The flag of Italy was inspired by the French flag brought in 1797 by Napoleon.
18. Lehman Bros owns 7 percent of Ferrari.
19. Italy trails only Brazil in World Cup wins.
Italy is an amazing country with colorful, animated people. From ancient culture to a bustling modern country, a visit to Italy is hard to beat.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/an-overview-of-italy-for-travelers-1528884.html
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If you enjoy traveling and would like to read more on some of the most famous places in the world, visit famouswonders.com and also check out Italy landmarks.
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