Can we call Italy the pearl of Europe? I think we can say even more. Italy is a country that smells culture in its every city, every town and village. A beautiful country that can make people fall in love with itself. In this article, I will be giving some general information about Italy. In addition to things to know about Italy, you can find some interesting information as well!
1- What is the Meaning of the Flag and the Name of Italy?
Italy, officially the Italian Republic (Repubblica Italiana). Abbreviation: IT.
But I think this country has a nickname that suits Italy better; Bel Paese, which means “Beautiful Country“.
Italian flag;
The colors of the Italian flag are inspired by the French flag. The blue on the French flag was replaced by green, the uniform color of the Milan Civil Guard. The meanings of colors are interpreted in two different ways in different sources. First one is that green symbolizes hope, white symbolizes faith and red symbolizes charity. According to the second, green symbolizes Italian landscapes, white symbolizes the snow covering the Alpine mountains, and red symbolizes the blood spilled by Italians while gaining their independence.
But actually we all know very well that none of them are true, because the Italian flag means basil, mozzarella and tomato lol.
2- Where is Italy?
Italy is a Southern European country and a peninsula. The country is surrounded by the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Sea in the west, the Ionian and the Mediterranean Sea in the south, and the Adriatic Sea in the east. It borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia in the north.
İtalya, içerisinde Vatikan ve San Marino olmak üzere iki şehir-devlet barındırır ve buna ek olarak Sicilya ve Sardinya adaları da ülke sınırları içinde yer alır. Tabi İtalya’da yalnızca bu iki büyük ada yok, irili ufaklı ortalama 450 ada bulunuyor ülkede.
3- What is the Capital of Italy?
The capital city of Italy is Rome and it is located in the Lazio region of Italy. With a population of 2.9 million people living in the city, it is the most populous city in Italy and the 4th most populous city in Europe.
4- What is Italy’s Telephone Code?
The international calling code of Italy is +39. Unlike the dialing codes of other countries, it is necessary to add 0 after +39 when calling between countries. For example, when calling Switzerland, you can type +41 123 45 67, while calling Italy +39 0 123 45 67 should be dialed.
5- What’s the Local Time in Italy?
Italy is located in the time zone of GMT + 2.
6- What Language Is Spoken In Italy?
I wish I could answer this like many other sources, by just saying that Italian language is spoken in Italy and there are a few dialects. However, as someone who has spent a lot of time in Italy and with an Italian husband, I can say that there is hardly anyone who speaks Italian except for television, radio and newspapers.
First of all yes, Italy’s official language is Italian. However, Italy consists of 20 regions and each region speaks its own language (dialect). The language accepted as standard Italian is actually the language spoken in the Tuscan region, more specifically the Florence dialect. In other words, they have made one of the dialects spoken in the country a standard language so that the whole country can understand each other.
You can see the different languages spoken in each region on the map below.
We rented a boat with my Northern Italian (Veneto) husband on the Capri island. Although both the captain of the boat and Stefano were both Italians, they were speaking to each other in English. This is also unusual for Stefano, but since the captain was a southerner and Stefano was a northerner, they both spoke Italian with a completely different accent.
I guess since I was only speaking in English, captain thought Stefano was also a tourist trying to speak Italian. So he started speaking English to help him lol. Stefano also switched to English, as he didn’t want to force the captain, who continued to speak English with Stefano despite Stefano’s several attempts to speak Italian.
English was the only language spoken on the boat during the entire journey lol.
As an example, you can see the differences between Italian and Veneto language below.
In the video below, you can listen to different languages spoken in Italy .
Besides, French is the official language in Aosto , Ladin language in some parts of South Tyrol, Slovenian in Gorizia region where Slovenes live and German in Balzano. As you see, people have the freedom to speak the language they want.
As you see, people have the freedom to speak the language they want.
7- What is the Population of Italy?
According to current data, 60.4 million people live in Italy (301.338 km²). While Italy had a population of 62 million in 2016, we see that the population is decreasing rather than increasing. The reasons for this are the decrease in birth rates and the constant migration of the country’s young generation to other European countries in order to find jobs.
8- What is Italy’s Currency?
Until 2001, the Italian Lira was used in Italy.
As of 2002, Euro is being used. 1 euro is this much.
9- What is the Italian Climate Like?
Italy has a predominantly Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and cold and rainy winters. In the northern part of the country, winters are cool and humid with the effect of the Alps mountains. For this reason, these areas are constantly foggy, sometimes it becomes impossible to see the road while driving.
Thunderstorms are also common in the north. Summers are particularly hot in the south, with nighttime temperatures of 28-33 ° C, sometimes even 40 ° C. July is the hottest month of the year. Autumn is usually rainy.
10- Politics of Italy
Italy is a republic governed by a multi-party and parliamentary democracy.
The executive body is the council of ministers, chaired by the president of the country. The legislative power is run jointly by the national assembly and the council of ministers. The judicial body is only responsible to the Constitutional Court which consists of various high courts.
To summarize briefly, the Government retains the “executive“, the Parliament “legislative” and the Supreme Council of Judges “judicial” powers. The Presidency, which is the highest authority, represents the integrity of the country. The president of the Italian Republic is elected every seven years by the national assembly and a small number of regional representatives.
The President of the Republic is in charge of ensuring the functionality of all these in the midst of the legislative, executive and judicial powers. He also carries out duties such as appointing administrators, presiding the judiciary and being the commander-in-chief of the country’s army. The President appoints the prime minister from the elected parties and gives him the task of forming the cabinet. Approval of the cabinet depends on the vote of confidence in the national assembly.
The bicameral system is used in Italy; the Chamber of deputies and the Senate of Republic. These assemblies are elected by the people by voting. There are 630 seats in the chamber of deputies , while the senate has 315 seats. In addition, a small number of lifetime representatives take part in the Senate.
Every Italian citizen over the age of 18 can participate in the voting held to elect representatives of the Chamber of deputies in Italy. However, those under the age of 25 cannot vote while electing members of the Senate. Both assemblies are elected for 5-year terms. However, the president has the right to dissolve parliament in a state of emergency.
11- Religion in Italy
The most common religion in Italy is the Catholic sect of Christianity. The vast majority of Italians belong to the Roman Catholic Church. In the past, Christianity was accepted as the official religion of Italy, but by 1985 a secular structure was brought to Italy.
Due to the increase in immigration from the Middle East and North Africa in recent years, the number of Muslims in the country has also increased.
12- Economy of Italy
The Italian economy is one of the most developed in the world. According to the data of the International Monetary Fund, Italy is the 8th largest economy in the world and the 4th economy of Europe and the European Union.
The country is famous for fashion, brand and car production. World-famous brands such as Armani, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Robert Cavalli, Benetton, Prada, Luxottica are of Italy origin. Ferrero, Barilla, Martini & Rossi, Campari, Parmalat are also important brands in food products. Italy, which is also number one in luxury cars, also owns car brands such as Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani, and Alfa Romeo.
Italy is the 5th most visited country in the world and the 4th most earning country in tourism.
Genoa port is the largest port in Italy and the second largest port in the Mediterranean.
Italy is the world’s largest wine producer.
Thermometer, barometer, battery, ice cream, glasses, typewriter, wireless telegraph and more were invented by Italians.
13- Culture and Art in Italy
Would it be enough if I say Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Giovanni Bellini, Caravaggio are all Italian artists? Tens or maybe hundreds of artists who have their names written in gold letters in the history of art hailed from the lands of Italy.
Opera
It is not surprising that Italy is the first country that comes to mind when it comes to opera. As a matter of fact, Italy is the place where opera was brought to life and classical music was born. The first piano was invented in the 1700s and the violin in the 14th century in Italy. Luciano Pavarotti is also one of these lands. Luciano Pavarotti is also from Italy.
Architecture
Italy is one of the first countries to spring to mind when it comes to architecture. The traditional view of old Italian towns around the squares adorned with fountains preserves its beauty even next to the construction wonders of the modern age.
Literature
Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio, the three founding fathers of Italian language and the literature, are also from these lands. The Divine Comedy, one of the masterpieces of world literature, was written by Dante and has also become one of the most famous works of Italian literature.
Music
Vivaldi, Alessandro Scarlatti, Domenico Scarlatti, Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini, who are among the most important names of classical music, are also musical heritages from Italy.
Cinema
When it comes to Italian cinema, directors like Federico Fellini, Bernardo Bertolucci and Pier Paolo Pasolini are also gifts from Italy.
Finally, I would like to share Casta Diva from Maria Callas’ voice.
Enjoy!
You can find other articles about Italy here.
