Italy

Italy is most likely known for its rich cultural heritage and its unique natural beauty. Its cities have spectacular churches and beautiful central plazas. Their museums contain some of the world's best-known art. Italy got its name from the ancient Romans. Romans called the southernmost part of the peninsula Italia, which means land of oxen or grazing land.

Italy's landscape is dominated by two mountain ranges: the Alps and the Apennines. The Alps tower across the northernmost parts of Italy & the Apennines form a backbone that runs nearly the entire length of the peninsula. Italy's countrysides have warm, sandy beaches; high, glacier-topped mountain peaks; and rolling hills covered with green fields and vineyards.

Italy occupies a boot-shaped peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea from southern Europe. This country also includes two large islands, Sicily and Sardinia. Two independent countries lie within Italy's borders: the tiny Republic of San Marino, in north-central Italy, and Vatican City, which is located completely within the city of Rome.

Italy boasts several world-famous cities. Rome, the capital and largest city in Italy, was the center of the Roman Empire 2,000 years ago. Florence was the home of many artist of the Renaissance, a period of great achievements in the arts. Venice, with its intricate canal system, attracts tourists from all over the world.

Italians take great pride in the quality of their cooking. They traditionally eat their meals at midday. Large meals usually consist of a pasta course, followed by a main course of meat or fish. Sometimes a course of antipasto (appetizers) is served before the pasta. Antipasto usually consists of a variety of cold meat and vegetables, such as prosciutto (a type of spiced ham), salami, olives, and artichoke hearts. Of course no one in Italy will admit not eating pizza at least 2 or 3 times a day along with or as their meals.

Italians, in their spare time, enjoy a wide variety of sports and other recreational activities. Soccer is the most popular sport in Italy. Practically every major city has a professional soccer team. Basketball is also very popular, and some cities have more than one professional basketball team.

Italy is one of the world's greatest centers for beautiful architecture, art, and great books. Many of Italy's art museums rank among the most famous in the world. Several of Italy's museums are the former houses & palaces of kings or royal families. These museums include the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi Palace in Florence.

Italy has made important contributions to the arts since the early Middle Ages. Italy's greatest artistic achievements came during the Renaissance, the cultural movement that came during the 1300's and ended in the 1600's. During that time, Italy produced some of the greatest painters, sculptors, and architects in art history. Italy's greatest flowering of Italian architecture took place during the Renaissance. Filippo Brunelleschi made great contributions to architectural design with his dome for the Cathedral of Florence (completed in 1436).

The Italian Renaissance produced many of the most talented painters and sculptors in art history. They were all influenced by the work of Giotto in the late 1200's. One of the most influential artists who ever lived, Giotto changed the course of Western art by painting in a new realistic style. Florence became the center of early Renaissance art. Almost definitely, the greatest artist of the 1400's was Leonardo da Vinci. His portrait Mona Lisa and his religious scene The Last Supper are among the most famous paintings in history.

Later Renaissance art was dominated by Raphael and Michelangelo. Raphael painted calm and harmonious pictures that expressed a noble way of life. Michelangelo achieved greatness in both the art of painting and sculpting. He even helped design St. Peters Church.