2.  Rome is both the capital and the largest city in
Italy.
 Rome is home to the Vatican.
 The population is around 60 million.
 President: Giorgio Napolitano (2006)
 Prime Minister: Mario Monti (2011)
 The life expectancy is approximately 80.3 years.
 The density per square km: 197

3.  Italy is slightly larger than
the state of Arizona.
 The total land area is
113,521 square miles.
 It is surrounded by the
Tyrrhenian sea on the
west, the Adriatic sea to
the east, and the Ionian
sea to the south.
 It borders France,
Switzerland, Austria, and
Slovenia to the north.

4.  The Apennine Mountains
run down the center of the
peninsula.
 The great Alps Mountains
form a northern boundary.
 Many islands form Italy
including Sicily (9,926
square miles), and Sardinia
(9,301 square miles).

5.  The migrations of the Indo-European people into Italy
began about 2000 B.C. and continued until 1000 B.C.
 Until Italy was overthrown by the Romans in 3 B.C., an
Etruscan civilization was dominant.
 From 800 on, the Holy Roman Emperors and Roman
Catholic popes strive for control over various sections of
the Italian peninsula.
 Italy remained politically fragmented for centuries, but
later became the cultural center of the Western world
from the 13th century to the 16th century.

6.  Italy became a member of
both NATO and the
European Economic
Community, later called the
European Union.
 Italy adopted the Euro as its Banknotes
currency in January 1999.
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7.  There is always a
reason to celebrate in
Italy, whether it's an
historical event,
religious holiday, or
festival.
 Dancing is important
in Italian culture as in
many other cultures.
 There are many special
foods for assorted
occasions.