An Overview of Italy for Tourists

Rome, the Winter Olympics, Wine, Ferrari, beautiful beaches - Italy has it all. If you are considering traveling to Italy, here are some things you must know.

An helicopter view 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 essentially due to two facts, the reign of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church.

In more modern times, Italy turned 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 age of parliamentary central authority came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito Mussolini established a Nazi dictatorship. His tragic coalition with Fascist Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War Two.

A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of the EU Commercial Community. It has been at the forefront of EU commercial and political unification. Determined issues include illegal immigration, arranged crime, corruption, high unemployment, slow industrial expansion, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared to the wealthy north.

If you are going to Italy, these are some basic things you need to know.

1. Northern Italy is well off whilst the south is not. 

2. Italy is slightly larger than the state of Arizona.

3. Italy's climate is mostly 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 first paved streets in 170 B.C. Vehicles needed to be banned because of traffic jams!

7. Roman gladiators were the 1st sportsmen 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 may be removed and replaced to reflect the changes in political climate.

10. When the Roman armed forces lost a battle, they took it hard. Chiefs would kill each 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 a person as Emperor. He had absolute power, giving rise to the term dictator.

12. Vast percentages 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 Brothers owns 7 % of Ferrari.

19. Italy trails only Brazil in World Cup wins.

Italy is a dazzling country with colorful, animated people. From ancient culture to a bustling modern country, a visit to Italy is tough to beat.

If you find this article useful, you may also visit famouswonders.com to read more about some of the best places to visit and have a look at Italian places.