Culture Walls

Geography

In Italy there are many different types of terrain. There are rugged mountains, plains and coastal lowlands. Italy is a peninsula. Italy is located in Europe and in the northern and eastern hemispheres. The neighboring countries are France ,Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia. Italy is also next to many named waters. They are Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Italy's  capital city is Rome

There are about 57.6 million people living in Italy. The life expectancy for the total population of Italy is 79.14 years, for the men about 75.97 years and for the females about 85.52 years.      

Climate

In the north there is mountain weather, in the south it is hot and dry and near the coast there is coast like conditions. A couple of the natural disasters are landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes volcanic eruptions and flooding.

Government

People who become a part of the government are chosen by elections for the President of Italy and the President appoints the prime minister.

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Economy

The money used in Italy is called lira and Euro.

People in Italy export Mercury, Potash, Marble Sulfur, Natural Gas, Crude oil reserves, fish and coal.

Holidays and Festivals

In Italy religious holidays are celebrated. The  Pope gives world wide speeches. Liberation Day is when Germany left  Italy in WW2. Easter Sunday is when Jesus rose from the dead.

Sports and Recreation

Italy's popular sports are soccer, tennis, basketball, bike riding, skiing, hiking, wind surfing and sailing. Things for entertainment are going to the museums, galleries and drinking espresso.

Gondolas in Venice

Sherman, Gay. gs072.jpg. 7/20/1997. Pics4Learning. 7 Jun 2003 <http://pics.tech4learning.com>

Language

In Italy people speak Italian, German, French and Slovene. Italian is the official language. Expressions people use in Italy are when you put your finger under your eye and push  downs it means someone else is clever. Another expression is rubbing your thumb against the fingers which means money.

Cultural Arts

Marcello Mastroianni, Anna Magnani, Gina Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren, Luchino Viconti, Robert Rossellini, Frederico Fellini, Michelangelo Antonioni and Bernardo Bertolucci are a few of the famous actors from Italy.

Roman Pantheon

There is the Galleria dell Academia in Venice and the La Scala museum in Milan. Ponte Vecchio, the trademark Duomo, the gem-filled Uffizi Gallery, the Piazza della Signoria and the Medici Chapels.

There is the Coliseum, the Pantheon in Rome. There is the Gondola in Venice which goes into the Grand Canal. The Etruscan tombs, Christian Churches and the medieval bell towers in Rome. The Bridge of Sighs links the palaces of Venice to the prisons.

Religion

85% of Italy's population is Roman Catholic with mature protestants. Some of the major religious events in Italy are Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

Food

People in Italy people farm all types of fruits and vegetables. They also buy foods in stores. The staple food in Italy is pasta. Some of the unique dishes are Spaghetti Bolognese, Lasagna and Tortellini.  Here is a recipe for a delicious dessert.

Tiramisu

1/3 c Sugar
5 Eggs
1/3 c Marsala wine
1/2 c Whipping cream
1 lb Mascarpone cheese
2 ts Lemon rind
1 c Espresso coffee, cold
24 Lady fingers
2 oz Bittersweet chocolate, grated

Use Italian lady fingers  also called Savoiardi, for the best results. You
can use any kind of spirits or liqueurs in the dessert (marsala, vin santo,
rum, brandy, Tia Maria, Frangelico, Amaretto) be guided by your own taste.
If you can't find mascarpone, use 8oz ricotta and double the amount of
whipping cream. If you don't have an espresso maker, use strong black coffee.

1. In a heavy pot, on medium-low heat, whisk together sugar and eggs until
frothy. Continue whisking until mixture begins  to thicken. Whisk in 1/4 cup
marsala and continue to cook until mixture coats the back of a spoon. Scrape
into bowl and reserve.
2. Whip cream until it holds its shape. With same beaters, whisk mascarpone
and lemon rind together until mixture softens. Fold in egg/marsala mixture
and whipping cream.
3. Combine espresso and remaining 2Tb marsala. Dip lady fingers into coffee
mixture two at a time and soak evenly. Place a layer of lady fingers on
bottom of 11x7 inch dish. Spread with half of the mascarpone cream. Sprinkle
with grated chocolate. Add another layer of soaked lady fingers. Top with
mascarpone cream and remaining chocolate.

http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/ubbs/archive/countryrecipes.html

English

Translation

good bye

ciao 

thank you 

grazia

very good

molto bene