ITALY

Image 1: Map

Image 2: Flag Image 3: Symbol

1. Basic informationItalian peninsula is long and narrow strip of land which extends from Western Europe for southern direction to Mediterranean Sea.1 The capital city of Italia is from the year 1870 Rome. In the north Italia has border with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. There are two city states inside of Italia, Vatican which has 3,2km and San Marino with area of 39km.2 There´s also territory called Campione d´Italia which belongs to Italy and it is surrounded by Switzerland. From the East Italia is washed by Adriatic Sea, from the South by Ionian Sea and from the West by Tyrrhenian Sea and Liguria Sea. Total length of the

1 Velká obrazová encyklopedie zeměpisu2 http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%C3%A1lie

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coastline is 7600km. To Italia belong also two big islands situated in the Mediterranean Sea which are Sicily and Sardinia.3

1.1.1 Table with basic informationCAPITAL CITY Rome

AREA 301 338 km²

HIGHEST PEAK Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) 4748 m

POPULATION 60 115 625

LANGUAGE Italian

RELIGION Catholic

SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT Parliamentary republic

ORIGIN 17. 3. 1861

PRESIDENT Giorgio Napolitano

PRIME MINISTER Silvio Berlusconi

CURRENCY Euro

Table 1: Basic information

1.1.2 Flag of ItalyItalian flag has three vertical stripes, green, white and red. It was derived from French flag, blue stripe was replaced by a green one (this colour was since French revolution considered like a symbol of liberty, parity and new political order). This Italian flag is used since 19. June 1946 and it was officially accepted in 1. January 1948. Colours of a flag mean this: green represents country of plains and hills, white colour symbolizes snow from Alps and red represents blood shedded in wars for Italian independence.4

1.1.3 Anthem of ItalyItalian anthem is called “Fratelli d´Italia” which means “Brothers of Italy”. Words of this anthem are composed by young Italian poet Goffredo Mameli who was a member of fights for Italian independence in 1848. The legend says that Mameli has written this anthem during a feast in house of American consul because of guest’s request. Music to these words was composed by Michele Novaro.5

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1.2 History of ItalyItaly played important role by forming of history and culture of Western Europe. Before 2000 years it was heart of Roman Empire. This controlled the majority of Western Europe and also the whole area around Mediterranean Sea. Language of Romans, Latin, is a base of many modern European languages. From Latin arise Italian, French, Spanish, Rumanian and Portuguese. The influence of Roman architecture, law, literature and technology of roads-building is possible to see in whole Europe today.6 Italy is also very important because it was in 15.-16 century centre of Renaissance. It was a period when artists and scientists experimented with new ideas. Just Italian painters, sculptors, architects and writers belonged to the best in Europe. Italy was unified in 1861. Up to this date it was formed by many different states. Rome became a capital city and the last state which was connected in a year 1871. Up to this date the pope had a power in Rome.7

1.3 Population and settlement

1.3.1 DemographicsItaly with its population of quite 60mil people is comparable to the Great Britain or France. The fact is that Italy is the most populated country of southern Europe. The life expactance by women is 80,5 and by men 741, years. Actually, Italy has the fourth oldest population in the world. The urbanisation is 67%. You can find many cities in Italy with population bigger than 100 000. 8

1.3.2 Table with most populated citiesRome 2 774 000

Milan 1 256 000

Napoli 1 004 000

Torino 903 000

Palermo 687 000

Genova 610 000

Bologna 374 000

Firenze 356 000

6 Velká encyklopedie zeměpisu7 Velká encyklopedie zeměpisu8 http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%C3%A1lie

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1.3.4 ReligionWhat concerns about religion, the largest representation in Italy has Christianity, almost 85-

90%. That´s because of history and also because of big influence of Vatican and personality

od pope. Nowdays the pope is German Benedict XVI. The other people are mainly ateists and

also a little bit of Islam people who are mainly immigrants. Nationality is usually Italian,

94%, but some Italians come from another nation and have different first language. For

example Sardinians who speak Sardinian, Romansh by eastern border with Switzerland who

spaeak Romanish, Tyroleans by Austria aho speak German and Provence people in the west

side by the border with France who speak French. What concerns about immigrants, they are

mainly from excolonies like Libya, Somalia, Etiopia, Albania or Morocco. 9

1.3.5 Some national holidays1. January New Year

6. January Three kings (Befana)

Pasquetta Easter Monday (it depends)

25. April Libertation Day

1. May Work holiday

1. November Holiday of all st. (Ognissanti)

15. August Assumption of the Virgin Mary

1.4 AdministrationThe territory of Italy is divided into 20 regions and these are separated into 109 districts ans

then into minucipalities which are in the area together under one larger called „comune“.

Legislature in Italy is bicameral which creates Chamber of Deputies and Seante. Italy takes

place in a group of seven richest and most developed countries, that´s called G7 and Italy is

founder of it. Together with the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Luxemburgh Italy is

founder of EU. In Europe Italy is the third richest country and in the world Italy is the sixth.

What concerns about politics, Italy i sone of the most important countries in the world. 10

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1.5 EconomyItaly is very developed industrial-agricultural country. The biggest difference is between north

and south of Italy. The north is industrial and the south is surely agricultural. The currency is

euro.

1.5.1 AgricultureItalian agriculture is typical with products like grapes, olives, fruit, citruses and vegetable.

Agricultural part of Italy is mainly the south because the north is more industrial. The Po

Lowland is also a place where the conditions for agriculture are very convenient. The fact is

that Italy is very famous exporter of delicate wine (mainly red one), virgin olive oil which is

one of the finest in the world, excellent cheeses like Grana Padano (Parmesan), Mozzarella,

Ricotta (similiar to Cottage), Mascarpone (consistency like butter) and many others. The

arable land of Italy creates 41,6% of the area, forests fill 22,4%, meadows and grazing land

fill around 15% of area.

1.5.2 Wine productionThe interesting thing is that Italy has the highest harvest of vine in the world. The production

makes something about 57 000 hectolitres which is comparable only with France. The most

popular kinds of Italian wine are for example Chianti, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Trebbiano

Toscano or Sangiovese. 11

1.5.3 IndustryThe branch of industry from which Italy has a very large amount of money is mainly

machinery indsutry. One famous joint-stock company is for example FIAT Holding which

creates more brands of cars like FIAT, Maserati, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia or Iveco which

makes buses. Italy i salso very good in construction of ships, the fifth best in the world. Other

branches of Italian industry are chemical, food processing, textile, paper-producing or

manufacturing od iron and steel. 12

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1.5.4 Italian fashionWhen we say Italy probably everyone knows that Italian fashion is one of the best in the

world. Mainly Milan is famous fashionable city. The most famous and favourite luxury

brands are Prada, Armani, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino, Dolce and

Gabbana, Versace and many others.

1.6 TransportationTransportation of Italy is very dense and high-quality. There is 6500 km of highways. What

concerns about significant ports that are for example Genova, Napoli, Livorno, Salerno or

Palermo. 13

1.7 Tourism When we talk about tourism of Italy it can really take a long time because the all Italy is full

of interesting cities and magic places. Important cities are mainly:

1.7.1 RomeThe fact is that Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. When you want to visit

Italy, everybody surely wants to see Rome, the capital. In Rome you can find plenty of

beautiful places which you should see. Like Forum Romanum, Fountain di Trevi, Piazza

Navona, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Angel´s Castle and many others.

1.7.2 VeniceThe one very typical beautiful Italian city is Venice. It´s very famous and favourite city for

tourists and also for celebrities. Venice was bulit on water so it´s really romantic place. You

can visit there Piazza San Marco, Ponte di Rialto or rent a specific boat called ´gondola´ and

see Venice from a different point of view.

1.7.3 FirenzeFirenze is undoubtedly the metropolis of Italian region Tuscany. It´s situated on the river

Arno. In 15th century Firenze was a cradle of Rennaisance and also a cultural centre of

northern Italy. From year 1982 the historical centre of Firenze belongs to UNESCO. 14

Firenze or in English Florence is totaly full of historical monuments and nice places like Santa

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Maria del Fiore, Campanilla di Giotto, Palazzo Vecchio, Casa di Dante, Uffizi and many

others.

1.7.4 PisaTuscanian city nearby Firenze which is famous mainly because of The Leaning Tower of Pisa

which lies on Piazza dei Miracoli. You can find there also graveyard, botanical garden or

synagogue.

1.7.5 NapoliNapoli, in English Naples, is a famous city situated in the southern part of Italy on a coastline.

It´s an important port located in region Campania. It´s the third biggest city of Italy. You can

visit there Castell dell´Ovo, Castel Nuovo, Castel Sant´Elmo or for example take a boat and

visit close island Capri or Ischia.

1.7.6 CapriCapri is a charming island situated in Gulf of Naples. Actually it´s a really little island which

has just 3 km². Capri is well-liked by celebrities and also popular with tourists. The interesting

thing is that for example Giorgio Armani or Sophia Loren have villas there. Capri can enthrall

everybody by beautiful crystalline sea, magical center of its capital called Capri, by little

fashionable zone with luxury brands like Prada or Dolce and Gabbana or by amazing view

from natural terrace above the sea. Eventually, everybody must like miracle Capri.

1.8 Nature

1.8.1 SeaLiguria SeaTyrrhenian SeaIonian SeaAdriatic SeaMediterranean Sea

1.8.2 VulcanosEtnaVesuviusStromboliVulcano

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1.8.3 Gulfs Gulf of GenovaGulf of SalernoGulf of TarantoGulf of Venice

1.8.4 StraitsStrait of MessinaStrait of OtrantoStrait of Boniface

1.8.5 Islands SicilySardiniaElbaIschiaCapri

1.8.6 LakesLago di GardaLago MagioreLago di Como

1.8.7 RiversPoTiberArnoAdigePiaveOfantoSineto

1.8.8 Mountain rangesApenninesAlpsDolomites 15

1.9. CuisineItalian cuisine is undoubtedly one of the most favorite and one of the best cuisines in the world. Everybody knows dishes like Pizza, Risotto Milanese, Lasagna, Spaghetti Bolognese, Tiramisu or Pana Cotta. These are one of the most popular in the world. Italian cuisine is full of fresh vegetables, mainly tomatoes, fresh fishes, olive oil or cheeses like Parmesan or Mozzarella. One world is enough- excellent. 15 http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%C3%A1lie

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2 Pictures

Image 4: Milan

Image 5: Pisa

Image 6: Ponte di Rialto, Venice

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Image 7: Forum Romanum, Rome

Image 8: Colosseum, Rome

Image 9: Piazza di Spagna, Rome

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Image 10: Capri

Tasks Can you name some historical monuments of the capital Rome? What was in 15th century cradle of Renaissance? Which city is well-known as a romantic city situated on water? Name at least 5 products of Italian industry and 5 products of agriculture. Name several Italian volcanos and gulfs.

ImagesImage 1: MAP OF ITALY, Resource: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/europe/italy/

Image 2: FLAG OF ITALY, Resource: http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soubor:Flag_of_Italy.svg

Image 3: SYMBOL OF ITALY, Resource: http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soubor:Italy-Emblem.svg

Image 4: MILAN, Resource: http://milano.repubblica.it/multimedia/home/6748512/1/5

Image 5: PISA, Resource: http://www.destination360.com/europe/italy/things-to-do

Image 6: VENICE,

Resource: http://www.picturesdepot.com/wallpapers/209023/venice+italy.html

Image 7: ROME, Resource: http://studybooks.wordpress.com/category/italy/

Image 8: COLOSSEUM, Resource: http://au.totaltravel.yahoo.com/destinations/destination/italy/rome/

Image 9: PIAZZA DI SPAGNA, Resource: http://www.deutschakademie.de/muenchen/blog/50-fun-facts-about-italy

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Image 10: CAPRI, Resource: http://www.cebus.cz/poznavaci-zajezdy/rim-neapolsky-zaliv/

ReferencesWIKIPEDIE, online citováno 6.1.2012, <http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%C3%A1lie#Seznam_geografick.C3.BDch_.C3.BAtvar.C5.AF > SVOJTKA&CO NAKLADATELSTVÍ, Velká encyklopedie zeměpisu. Praha, ISBN 80-7237-939-9.AUTOŘI ČESKÉ GEOGRAFICKÉ SPOLEČNOSTI, s. r. o., Regionální zeměpis světadílů. Praha: 2010.

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