We each have our own images when it comes to Italy. For some, the country of Italy is historical and cultural monuments, such as the Forum and the Colosseum in Rome, the Medici Palace and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, St. Mark's Square in Venice and the famous leaning tower in Pisa. For others, this country is associated with the directorial works of Fellini, Bertolucci, Perelli, Antonioni and Francesco Rosi, the musical work of Morricone and Ortolani, the incomparable acting work of Giulietta Masina, Monica Bellucci, Sophia Loren, Michele Placido, Adriano Celentano. Someone, having heard about Italy, will immediately remember the famous Italian pizza, pasta, frittata and minestrone. The country of Italy is one of the oldest in the world, although it appeared on the political map of the world just over a hundred years ago.
A bit of history
Italy has had a great influence on the social and cultural development of not only European countries, but of all mankind.
Archaeological artifacts were found in this country, proving the fact of the settlement of the territory by ancient people. It can be argued that ancient Italy became the starting point in the development of human civilization. The Roman Empire not only managed to conquer large territories and create a powerful state, but also brought its cultural and economic traditions and knowledge to the conquered lands.
Under the onslaught of the Goths in 476, the Western Roman Empire fell, as a result of which many small specific states were formed on the Apennine Peninsula.
Modern Italy emerged only in 1871 thanks to the efforts of Giuseppe Garibaldi and his associates. It was in this year that Rome was declared the capital of the state, which included small kingdoms and duchies.
The 20th century turned out to be quite difficult and tragic for the Italian Republic. Between 1922 and 1945, the country was under the rule of the fascists led by Benito Mussolini and was involved in the Second World War. In 1946, the last king of Italy - Umberto - abdicated, after which a rather long crisis followed. The decline of industry and agriculture, a period of unsuccessful reforms - Italy survived all this. Europe, like the rest of the world, watched with amazement the transformation and the so-called Italian economic miracle. The development of the country was accompanied by many high-profile political scandals, trials of members of mafia groups, as well as terrorist actions of the "Red Brigades".
TodayThe country of Italy is one of the highly developed European countries that exports to most countries of the world. Films, cars, fashionable clothes and shoes, excellent wines created in this country are in demand all over the world. The hospitality and cordiality of the Italians, coupled with the beautiful nature and developed hotel business, contribute to the fact that tourism is flourishing here. Italy receives many tourists from all over the world every year.
Geographic location
The state of Italy, located in the south of Europe, due to its outlines, is one of the most recognizable in the world on a geographical map. The mainland of the Italian "boot" occupies the Apennine Peninsula and a small part of the Balkan Peninsula and points to the west, towards the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. In addition to these islands, the Italian Republic owns the islands of Capri, Ischia and Elba. It has borders with countries such as Austria, Slovenia, France and Switzerland. The Vatican and San Marino are two miniature countries that are enclaves and are located on the territory of the state of Italy. The sea washes this country from three sides: from the south - the Mediterranean and Ionian, from the east - the Adriatic, from the west - Tyrrhenian and Ligurian.
Relief
Most (almost ¾ of the entire territory of Italy) is occupied by hills and mountain ranges. The Apennine mountains with the top of Korno stretch from south to north. The mountain range of the Alps is located in the northern region of the country. The highest mountain of this massif - Mont Blanc - has a height of 4807 meters. The countryItaly is one of the few in Europe where seismic activity of the earth's crust is recorded and active volcanoes such as Stromboli, Vesuvius and Etna are located.
Plains occupy only 1/5 of its total area, which is 300 thousand square meters. km. The largest in area is the Padana Plain, located between the Apennine mountain range and the Alps. There are also small plains on the sea coast.
Rivers and lakes
The rivers of Italy are concentrated mainly in its northern region. The largest of them - Po - flows from the slopes of the Kotsky Alps and ends its journey in the Adriatic Sea. The Tiber River is the second largest, and it is connected to the Arno River through a channel and canal system. Both of these rivers, the Arno and the Tiber, are unpredictable and notorious for their devastating floods.
Most Italian rivers are short mountain streams that form small river systems or flow directly into the sea. Only Northern Italy can “boast” of a developed river system, fed year-round by a large amount of precipitation and melt water flowing from glaciers.
Most Italian lakes are located on the Adriatic coast, in the foothills and mountainous alpine regions. The largest Lake Garda, with an area of almost 370 km2, is located on the outskirts of the Alps. Lakes such as Albano, Bracciano, Bolsena, Vico and Nemi, located in the central region of Italy, were formed due to the filling of extinct craters with water.volcanoes. Lakes Lesina, Varano, Valli de Comacchio were formed as a result of the closing of the waters of the lagoon by sandy barriers. Their depth is shallow, and the water is s alty.
Administrative divisions
The whole country can be conditionally divided into three main regions: north, south and center. Officially, as it is written in the Constitution of the Italian Republic in Art. 116 of December 11, 1947, it is subdivided into 20 regions, each of which is divided into provinces. Five of the 20 regions are autonomous entities where ethnic and linguistic minorities live. In Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sicily, Valle d'Aosta and Trentino Alto Adige, in addition to the state Italian language, other official languages are used. Italian provinces are divided into communities (communes), the total number of which - 8101. Communes, like provinces, vary quite noticeably in territory and in the number of people inhabiting them. The largest community-commune is considered to be the city of Rome, located in the Lazio region, which is also the capital of the entire state. It is located almost in the center of the western region of the Apennine Peninsula, on the banks of the Tiber River, not far from its confluence with the Tyrrhenian Sea. Rome in Italy is not only a capital, but also a political, historical, cultural and tourist center of world importance.
Economic and geographical differences
Rarely in which capitalist countries can one see such a sharp difference in the level of economic development, which demonstrate the South and North of Italy.
Mostthe industrialized region of Italy - the so-called northern triangle, which includes cities such as Genoa, Milan and Turin. Milan, which is the business, commercial and industrial center of the country and the second most populous city in Italy, is quite often called the business capital of the country. Turin is known for its Fiat car factory and the industries that serve it. The largest port in Italy is located in Genoa, and many industrial enterprises operate in the city itself and its suburbs. In addition, the Genoese coast is an important resort center.
The northeastern region of the North is much less developed. The most developed city in this area is Venice, which generates most of its income from tourism. Italy seeks to develop other cities in the region, but at the same time there is a problem of pollution of the Venetian lagoon with industrial and municipal waste.
South of Italy has a low level of industrial development. Despite the fact that in the post-war years several petrochemical enterprises, nuclear power plants and a metallurgical plant were built in this region, the industrial potential increased slightly. In this area of Italy, agriculture is carried out using inefficient technologies, which leads to low yields. Naples is the most important cultural and economic center of the South of Italy. It houses the country's second largest and most important cargo and passenger port.
Northern Regions
This beautiful country is inimitable and unique, like everyprovince within it. Northern Italy includes the following regions:
- Trentino-Alto Adige;
- Valle d'Aosta;
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia;
- Veneto;
- Emilia-Romagna;
- Lombardy;
- Liguria;
- Piedmont.
Valle d'Aosta
This area is located on the border of Switzerland and France, surrounded by the highest European mountains - Gran Paradiso, Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa. Valle d'Aosta is known for its ski centers and resorts such as La Thuile, Cervinia, Pilou, Monte Rosa and Courmayeur.
Veneto
Recognized as the most vibrant and colorful, this northeastern Italian region, washed by the Adriatic Sea, includes such provinces as Rovigo, Verona, Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Treviso and Belluno. In each of them there are many cities that are rightfully considered the cultural and historical heritage of the country. It is here that the pearl of Italy is located, the city built on the islands - Venice.
Liguria
From the border of the French Cote d'Azur and to Tuscany, this Italian region is located. On the one hand, it is washed by the Ligurian Sea, and on the other, it is surrounded by a ring of mountains. It consists of four regions: Savona, Imperia, La Spezia and Genoa. Liguria is the land of flowers, where the sun shines for about 300 days a year, and the slopes of the mountains are covered with groves of olive trees. The Principality of Monaco can be reached by car in just 20 minutes.
Lombardy
This region in northern Italy lies between the Po River and the Alps. Its composition includesprovinces such as:
- Bergamo;
- Sondrio;
- Brescia;
- Pavia;
- Varese;
- Monza e Brianza;
- Cremona;
- Milan;
- Como;
- Lecco;
- Lodi;
- Mantova.
Lombardy is famous for its reserves and natural parks, thermal springs and ski resorts. This is one of the richest regions in Italy.
Piedmont
At the foot of the mountains, on the border of Switzerland and France, at the source of the largest Italian river Po, this area is located, famous not only for historical, natural and cultural attractions. Piedmont is world famous for wines such as Moscato d'Asti, Barolo, Nebbiolo and Barbaresco, as well as the unique Novarre biscuits and white truffles.
Trentino-Alto Adige
This autonomous region, known for its magnificent landscapes and ski resorts, is located on the territory bordering Austria and Switzerland. In the south, this area is adjacent to Veneto, in the west - with Switzerland and Lombardy, and in the north - with Austria, and the border runs along the Alpine mountain range. This region includes two provinces - Bolzano and Trento. This region is interesting because in each of its provinces culture, traditions and even the main language are different. In Bolzano, the official language is German, while most Trento residents speak only Italian. Tourism is the main source of income for the region. Trentino Alto Adige is famous for its ski resorts such as Madonna di Campiglio.
Friuli-Venice-Julia
This is the easternmost region of Northern Italy, bordering Croatia, Austria and Slovenia. Friuli Venezia Giulia is located on the Adriatic coast and has the status of an administrative region consisting of two historical provinces - Venezia Giulia and Friuli, which, due to various circumstances, had to unite. Despite the rather long coexistence, each of the regions has retained its own characteristics and individuality. Today there are four provinces in this region: Gorizia, Pordenone, Udine and Trieste. It is here that the most famous white wine Pinot Grigio is produced.
Emilia Romagna
Considered one of the richest Italian regions. It is bordered in the south by the Apennine Mountains, in the east by the Adriatic Sea, and in the north by the Po River. The region is divided into two parts - northwestern Emilia and southeastern Romagna, which borders on the Republic of San Marino. The region is famous not only for such popular tourist cities as Modena, Ravenna, Reggio, Rimini and Ferarra. In this area, there are enterprises of such well-known automobile concerns as Dallara, Ducati, De Tomaso, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Morini and Malaguti. And the largest international competitions are regularly held at local circuits.
Center of Italy
The central regions of Italy include:
- Abruzzo;
- Lazio;
- Market;
- Molise;
- Tuscany;
- Umbria.
Abruzzo
This Italian region is located in the center of the country, between the coastAdriatic Sea and the Apennine mountain range. It borders areas such as Molise, Marche and Lazio. Abruzzo includes the provinces of Teramo, Chieti, Pescara and L'Aquila.
Abruzzo is distinguished by a high standard of living and economic stability, which became possible thanks to the attention of the authorities to both the development of tourism and the support of the agricultural sector. In this area, fans of mountaineering and skiing, as well as fans of a beach holiday will find a holiday to their liking.
Lazio
This central Italian region is also a metropolitan area. It is in Lazio that Rome is located, which is also the main city of this region. There are five provinces in this area: Viterbo, Latina, Rome, Rieti, Frosinone. This region belongs to a small group of volcanic islands in the center of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Marquet
In the very center of Italy, on the Adriatic coast, is the Marche region. It consists of six provinces: Ancona, Macerata, Ascoli Piceno, Pesaro, Urbino and Fermo.
Tourists are attracted to this Italian region primarily by the beaches, small and cozy in Sinigalia or spacious and wide in San Benedetto del Tronto. This region is also interesting for speleologists: many caves, such as Frasassi, are available for visits.
Molise
Located in southern Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountain range. Molise borders Campania to the south, Abruzzi to the north, Lazio to the west and Apuli to the east. There are only two provinces in this area: Isernia and Campobasso. Molise is one of the most industrially underdeveloped regions in Italy. The exception is the Termoli area, which has a small FIAT company and a bell factory in Agnone. There are no large cities in the Molise region, and not very large villages are located mainly in the foothills.
Tuscany
This region of central Italy is bordered by the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas to the west, and bounded by the Tusco-Emilian Apennines to the east. Tuscany is bordered to the east by Umbria and the Marche, to the north by Emilia Romagna and to the south by Lazio. Off the coast of Tuscany are several islands that form the Tuscan archipelago: Gorgona, Giglio, Giannuti, Montecristo, Pianosa, Sapraya and Elba.
Tuscany consists of 10 provinces: Arezzo, Grosseto, Lucca, Livorno, Massa Carrara, Prato, Pisa, Pistoia, Siena and Florence, each of which has its own capital of the same name.
This Italian region, in addition to picturesque landscapes, has many cultural and historical monuments, the most famous of which are concentrated in such provinces as Florence, Siena, Livorno and Pisa. It was in Tuscany that such famous personalities as Leonardo da Vinci and Petrarch, Dante Alighieri and Michelangelo and many others were born and worked.
Umbria
This is a unique Italy. There is no sea or coastline. It borders only Marche, Lazio and Tuscany. There are only two provinces in Umbria: Terni and Perugia.
Most of the entire territory is hills and mountains. The plain can only be found in the valleyssuch rivers as Velino, Nera and Tiber. On the Velino River, near the town of Terni, there is the most famous man-made Marmore waterfall, built by the ancient Romans.
Large industry in the region is poorly developed, with the exception of the city of Terni, where there are metallurgical, chemical and machine-building enterprises. There are small food, textile and handicraft factories in Perugia.
Southern regions of Italy
These regions of Italy are located in the southern region of the Apennine Peninsula and include such large islands as Sardinia and Sicily, which occupy about 40% of the country's area. These are the regions:
- Apulia;
- Sardinia;
- Basilicata;
- Sicily;
- Campaign;
- Calabria.
Apulia
Bordered by the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, Apulia is Italy's easternmost region. There are five provinces in this area: Brindisi, Bari, Lecce, Tarento and Foggia. It is a traditionally agricultural region in Italy and is ranked first in the production of olive oil and wine.
This area contains many traces and monuments of various civilizations, from the Paleolithic period to the end of the Renaissance.
Basilicata
This southern Italian region is bordered by the Ionian Sea in the southeast and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the southwest. Basilicata borders Calabria to the south and Apulia to the east and north. The region is divided into two provinces: Potenza and Matera. Basilicata is a rather harsh region, and almost half of its territorymountains make up, only 1/10 of the entire area is plains. The entire flat part is crossed by rivers, which swamped it. Today, most of the swamps have already been drained.
This southern region of Italy is not spoiled by the attention of tourists, as the development of tourism began only in the last few years. The Pollino National Park and the spas with thermal waters in Rappola are already in operation. Many interesting historical and cultural artifacts can be seen in the natural archaeological park of Murgea, as well as in the museums of Metaponto, Venoso and other cities in the region.
In addition, there are many ski resorts in Basilicata with the main tourist center in La Sellata Perfaona.
Calabria
This area is located on the very "toe" of the Italian "boot", mostly on the peninsula of the same name. It borders Calabria in the north with Basilicata, in the west it is washed by the Tyrrhenian, and in the east and south by the Ionian Sea. This region is separated from the island of Sicily by the Strait of Messina. There are five provinces here: Vibo Valentia, Catanzaro, Crotone, Cosenzo and Reggio Calabria.
The region has long been known as an agricultural land, and today it is actively developing as a tourist region. There is everything you need for this: beautiful nature and warm seas, as well as numerous historical monuments left after the Greeks, Romans and Normans.
Calabria, among other things, is also the most seismically active region of Italy. The largest number of earthquakes over the past three hundred years occurred in this region.
Campaign
From the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the borders withthe areas of Basilicata and Lazio extend the southern Italian region - Campania. This whole area is divided into the following provinces: Avellino, Caserta, Benevento, Naples, Salerno. For the region, the most characteristic areas of activity are agriculture, winemaking and fishing. Shipbuilding is actively developing in port cities. The tourism business is also represented in this area. The Campania region, in terms of the pace and level of its development, is in the top ten and is considered one of the most promising Italian regions.
Sicily
Sicily is located on the island of the same name, as well as on the adjacent Aeolian, Pelagian, Egadi Islands. The territory of the region is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Catania, Messina, C altanissetta, Ragusa, Palermo, Trapani, Syracuse, Enna. Sicily is separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina.
Today, only Sicily in the entire Italian Republic has its own parliament, located in Palermo, the capital of the island. There are many historical and cultural Greek and Byzantine monuments and attractions. But the main object of tourist interest is the active volcano Etna, in addition, the beautiful beaches of Pozzallo and Isola Bella and magnificent landscapes and landscapes.
Sardinia
The island of Sardinia, the second largest, is located between Corsica and Sicily. Sardinia is an autonomous region of Italy, which is very different both in the main language - Sardinian, and in the ethnic composition of the population. On the western side, the island is washed by the Sardissea, and from all the rest - Tyrrhenian.
There are eight provinces in autonomy: Medio Campidano, Cagliari, Nuoro, Carbonia-Iglesias, Sassari, Ogliastri, Oristano and Olbia Tempio. The main port and capital of Sardinia is Cagliari. There is no industry on the island, which favors the conservation of nature.
Capital of Italy
"The Eternal City" - that's what they call Rome. It was founded on April 21, 753 BC. e. in the heart of the Apennine Peninsula. It stands on seven hills: Aventina, Viminale, Quirinale, Palantine, Celia, Esquiline and, of course, the most famous - Capitoline. It was Rome that was destined to become the center of one of the greatest civilizations of mankind.
From the Roman civilization came to us law and architecture, philosophy and management principles, the Latin language, which is the basis of a whole group of languages. According to legends, the very first settlement was built by Romulus on the Palatine hill. Romulus is one of two twin brothers, the sons of the god Mars, who were saved and raised by a she-wolf. Many books and scientific studies have been written about the history, rises and falls of Rome. The city received its modern status of the capital of Italy in 1861, but actually became it in December 1870.
The center of modern Rome is Piazza Venezia, located at the foot of the Capitoline Hill. In the very center of this square there is a monument to the first king who stood at the head of a united Italy - Victor Emmanuel II. The Italians themselves call this monument a "wedding cake", for a huge variety of details and decorations.
Westernpart of the square is decorated with the Palace of Venice, built in 1455. Today it houses the National Museum of the Palace of Venice and the Cere Museum. In Chera there are wax figures of famous political and historical figures, cultural and art figures. The National Museum of the Palace of Venice exhibits a collection of works by artists of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as various household items and weapons.
Venice Square gives rise to all the main Roman streets: the Plebiscite, the Fourth of November (going to the Colosseum), Victor Emmanuel Avenue (leading to St. Peter's Basilica), Via del Corso. If you walk down Via del Corso and then down Via Condotti, you will come to Plaza de España.
In order to describe all the monuments, squares, palaces and sights of Rome, a multi-volume encyclopedia is not enough. Keeping in mind the folk wisdom that it is better to see once than hear a hundred times, why not look at Rome and all of Italy with your own eyes?
