Area of 301,338km2 With 61 million inhabitants, it is the4th most populus EU state
Reffered as the lo Stivale (
boot) because of its peculiar shape Predominantely Temperate climate TheBel Paese(the Beautiful Country) Languages- Italian, English
Together with Greece, it is acknowledged
as the birthplace of Western culture. It is also home to the greatest number ofUNESCO World Heritage sitesin the world. High art and monuments are to be found everywhere around the country.
The fifth highest tourism earner- 47.7 million tourists a year (2013) Thefifth most visited country in the world, Tourism is one of Italy's fastest growing and most profitable industrial sectors, with an estimated revenue of 136.1 billion
People mainly visit
Italy for its rich Art Cuisine History Fashion and culture its beautiful coastline and beaches, its mountains, and priceless ancient monuments. Italy also contains more World heritage
Regions
Rome
Milan
Venice
Bologna, Florence, Naples, Genoa, Pisa
Architecture Italy is known for its considerable architectural achievements,such as the construction of arches, domes and similar structures during ancient Rome the founding of theRenaissance architectural movement in the late14th to 16th centuries, and being the homeland of Palladianism , a style of construction which inspired movements such as that ofNeoclassical architecture Several of the finest works in Western architecture, such as theColosseum, theMilan Cathedral andFlorence cathedral, theLeaning Tower of Pisaand the building designs ofVeniceare found in Italy.
Visual art Italian painting can be grouped into 4 main "styles" or periods Panel painting during theRomanesquepe riod The Italian Renaissance TheHigh Renaissance Impressionism
Literature and theatre Music Cinema Sport Fashion and design
in Milan). 232 with 20,686 rooms and 43,150 beds. nearly 3,700 with 247,000 rooms and 14,500 with 483,000 rooms and 940,000 5,000 with 116,000 beds. 2,000 with 157,000 beds.
What to buy
Food Italian fashion
Art
Furniture
Books
Glassware
Jewellery
DO
Visit the vineyards
Cycling tours Sailing Take a Cooking Class
Festivals Calcio Storico Sport -Football, Sport BizarreSteeped in almost 500 years of tradition described loosely as a mix between football andrugby. Carnevale di IvreaBizarre Carnival, Party. the ammunition at Italy's Carnevale di Ivrea's orange battle doesn't get squished before it is hurled in the streets. It may, however, become smushed after colliding with the helmets that keep faces from leaking their own natural juices. Umbria Jazz Festival Music TheAlgiers Brass Band fromNew Orleansis marching down Corso Vannucci, the main street ofPerugiainItaly, led by a grand marshal with purple feathers
Italian Cuisine Cooking is considered an art. Each region has its own specialities Risotto- Arborio rice that has been sauted and cooked in a shallow pan with stock. Polenta- Yellow corn meal that has been cooked with stock. Gelato This is the Italian
Pizza The most authentic, original pizzas is found in Naples often containing quite a few ingredients (tomato and oregano, or tomato and mozzarella) Cheese and sausages In Italy you can find nearly 800 kinds of cheese, including the famous Parmigiano Reggiano, and over 400 types of sausages. Wine Italian wine is exported all over the world, and names like Barolo, Brunello and Chianti are well-known. Beer
