Italy
By: Sarah Ioder
Demographics
Italians are warm, welcoming people who love to relax, celebrate, and socialize with family and friends. Italians live in Italy. The average income for a family in Italy is $35, 925. Italy's climate is very Mediterranean. Winters are cold and humid in the north, while the coasts are kept warm by the high sea temperatures. The summer is very hot and storms are quite common in the north. Italy offers many different tourist attractions for everyone. In 2013 47,704,000 visited Italy. Some of Italy's most famous attractions are the Colosseum, Florence Cathedral, Grand Canal, St. Peter's Basilica, Amalfi Coast, Sistine Chapel, and much more.
Cultural Information
Italy is very big on fútbol, interior décor, operas, music, and much more. Laura Pausini is one of Italy's most popular and succesful solo pop artists. She has sold over 70 million albums worldwide. Giorgia Todrani is another one of Italy's famous singers. She sings mostly jazz and soul music. Family is extremely important in Italy and they have frequent family gatherings.
Political Information
Italy has a unitary parlimentary republic government. The first group of Roman people were the Etruscans.
Famous Historical Event: Mussolini Gains Power in 1922
Violent groups of fascists, often ex-soldiers and students, formed in post-war Italy, partly in response to the growing success of socialism and the weak central government. Mussolini, a pre-war firebrand, rose to their head, supported by industrialists and landowners who saw facists as a short term answer to the socialists. In October 1922, after a threatened march on Rome by Mussolini and black shirted fascists, the king gave into pressure and asked Mussolini to form a government. Opposition was crushed in 1923.
Famous People from Italy
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Giada De Laurentiis
- Amy Adams
- Michelangelo
- Medici family
Colosseum
The Colosseum is an amphitheater in the center of Rome. It is built of concrete and stone, it is the largest amphitheater in the world, and considered one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering. The Colosseum could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on classical mythology.
Overview
Italy is known for their food all the way from many different types of pastas, wines, and seafood. Italy's agriculture is very diverse between the Alpine and Apennine regions and those of the northern, central and southern regions of the country. 75% of Italian farms are specialized in crops. Some Italian livestock include cattle, chickens, dogs, donkeys, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine. The main exported Italian items are engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, and motor vehicles.
Culinary Constribution
The spread of Italian food diversity began after the fall of the Roman Empire. Some of Italy's most famous foods are many different types of pasta, pizza, seafood, risotto, minestrone, zuppa di pesce, meat dishes, scaloppine di vitello, zuppa di cozze, parmesan cheese, tiramisu, gelato, zeppole, cannoli, and more.
Recipe: Zeppole
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Yield: 35
Ingredients:- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons making powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions:
- Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees
- In a medium saucepan, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir in the eggs, ricotta cheese, and vanilla. Mix gently over low heat until combined. Batter will be sticky.
- Drop by tablespoons until the oil a few at a time. Zeppole will turn over by themselves. Fry until golden brown, about 3 or 4 minutes. Drain in a paper sack and dust with confectioners' sugar. Serve warm.