Tuesday, March 23, 2010

TOURIST ATTRACTION IN ITALY

Italy is a beautiful place to visit. There are many places with natural beauty. There are beaches, ruins and mountains. It is an amazing place with wonderful scenery. For me it has been hard to choose one place to visit. If you are thinking in going to Italy you should do a tour for the main cities. Here are the "Top 10 Places to visit in Italy".

1 - ROME












2 - FLORENCE





3- VENICE




4 - CINQUE TERRA




5 - SICILY






6 - TURIN



7 - CAPRI

































8- SORRENTO





9 - ABRUZZO






10 - SAN GIMIGNANO



Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Geography of Italy


Italy is located in Southern Europe. a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia. Italy has 301,230 sq Km.
The countries that make border with Italy are Austria, France, Holy See (Vatican City), San Marino, Slovenia, Switserland.
The population is around 58,103,033 people.


The Geography of Italy has two mountain ranges called the Alps and the Apennines.


The highest mountain summit is Mont Blanc (it's knowing as Monte Bianco). It is located 4180 meters or 5,781 feet above sea levels.








Volcano close to Naple



Volcano active in Sicily


Italy has two volcanoes, one is close to Naples and the other is in Sicily (this is the only one active).





Italy is also a land of lakes. The largest lake is Lake Garda with 370 Km2.

How is the Italian Climate?


The climate of Italy is highly diversified with extremes ranging from frigid in the higher elevations of the Alps and Apennine, to semitropical along the coast of Ligurian Sea and western coast of the lower peninsula.
The average annual temperature, however, ranges from about 11° to 19° C (about 52° to 66° F); it is about 13° C (about 55° F) in the Po Valley, about 18° C (about 64° F) in Sicily, and about 14.5° C (about 58° F) in the coastal lowlands.



SUMMER: The Northern parts (Turin, Milan and Bologna) are warm with occasional rainfall. Central region is somewhat stifled by humidity. South is very hot and dry.

WINTER: Milan,Turin and Venice are dominated by cold, damp and fog. Tuscany's winter temperature approach freezing while temperatures in the south of the country are more favorable ( Between 50° and 60°F).




The best time to visit Italy is in Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) when the weather is good and there are few tourists.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

THE CONTROVERSIAL SILVIO BERLUSCONI


Controversy has followed him throughout his career. His media empire has given him whole access to a nationwide audience. His support for war in Iraq has made him a lightning-rod throughout Europe and his high profile lifestyle and savvy media sense has made him nearly a celebrity.

"Italy is the country I love. Here I have my roots, my hopes, my horizons. Here I have learned, from my father and from life, how to be an entrepreneur. Here I have also acquired the passion for liberty. I have chosen to enter the field and become a public servant because I do not want to live in an illiberal country, ruled by immature forces and by people who are well and truly bound to a past that proved both a political and economic failure — Silvio Berlusconi, discourse on Entering the field ("la discesa in campo")"

VILLA CERTOSA

Silvio Berlusconi's holiday home on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia

FAMOUS PERSON: SILVIO BERLUSCONI




1. He was born in September 29, 1936 into a lower middle class family. His father was a banker.

2. He studied law at the State University in Milan.

3. In 1961, he graduated in law and started his business career with his first construction company.

4. In 1973 he started on the television field buying a local cable television – Telemilano. Five years later he formed his first media group, Fininvest.

5. He is one of Europe’s most fascinating and controversial figures.

6. In 1993 he started his political career and founded his own political party.

7. In 1994 he became Prime Minister for the first time.

8. He lost the elections in 1996 and spent the next few years reorganizing your party.

9. In 2001 he was elected again as Prime Minister. He stayed in power until 2006 when accusations of fraud made him lose power again.

10. In 2008, he came back as Prime Minister and he is Prime Minister until today.


Sunday, March 7, 2010

15 Subjective Historical Events of Italy

1. In 1494 powerful France boldly invaded a weaker Italy in the First Italian War.
2. The deadly Black Plague quickly killed 14% of Italy’s small population between the 14th and 17th centuries.
3. In 1796 ambitious Napoleon Bonaparte strategically conquered the unified Italian's republic instituting foreign French rule.
4. In 1814 Napoleon’s historic defeat violently started the nationalistic movement called “Risorgimento”; this movement was responsible for the unification of the Kingdom of Italy.
5. Romantic Venice finally became part of tiny Italy in 1866.
6. After brave Italian forces successfully occupied ancient Rome, the new capital of Italy was swiftly relocated there in 1871.
7. Eager Italy fortunately entered in brutal World War I beside of the brave Allies.
8. Corrupt Benito Mussolini furiously became a wicked prime minister with complete dictatorial powers in 1922.
9. In 1940 hungry Italy mistakenly entered in savage World War II beside evil Germany.
10. In 1946 educated Italians rightly voted against the unloved monarchy, instantly transforming it into a bright republic.
11. The famous Roman Catholicism was suddenly selected as Italy’s modern state religion in 1984.
12. In 1986 moral Italy valiantly started the long fight against incredible organized crime with 338 vicious Mafia members finally convicted.
13. There were many famous political scandals closely revolving around the dishonest Italian government.
14. Playboy Silvio Berlusconi trendily began his storied career in wild Italian politics in 1994.
15. In 1996 the first leftist government, Olive Tree, was passionately elected into temporary power.

15 Objective Historical Events of Italy

1. In 1494 France invaded Italy in the First Italian War.
2. The Black Plague killed 14% of Italy’s population between the 14th and 17th centuries.
3. In 1796 Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Italian's republic instituting French rule.
4. In 1814 Napoleon’s defeat started the movement called “Risorgimento”. This movement was responsible for the unification of the Kingdom of Italy.
5. Venice became part of Italy in 1866.
6. After Italian forces occupied Rome, the capital of Italy was relocated there in 1871.
7. Italy entered in World War I in the side of Allies.
8. Benito Mussoline became prime minister with dictatorial powers in 1922.
9. In 1940 Italy entered in World War II beside Germany.
10. In 1946 Italians voted against the monarchy. Italy transformed into a republic.
11. Roman Catholicism was selected Italy’s state religion in 1984.
12. In 1986 Italy started the fight against organized crime with 338 Mafia members convicted.
13. There were many political scandals revolving around the Italian government.
14. Silvio Berlusconi began his career in Italian politics in 1994.
15. In 1996 the first leftist government, Olive Tree, was elected into power.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Italian Flag


The flag of Italy in this current form has been in use since June 19, 1946. The colors are green, white and red.
COMMON INTERPRETATION THE COLORS:
Green - represents the country's plains and the hills
White - represents the snow- Alps
Red - represents the blood in Wars of Italian Independence.

Exploring Italy


I chose Italy because I always wanted to go there. My grandparents from my mom's side are of Italian descent. I think there are many beautiful places to go in Italy. I also love the food. In addition, I think the language sounds very attractive and it is a little similar to Portuguese.