Italy is a little larger than the state of Arizona

Population: Life expectancy = 80,5 years/Italy 78.7 years/US Italy is #12 US is #38 World wide life expectancy average is 67.2 Unemployment 9.6% - US 8.4% - Italia

monarchy Italy was once a monarchy King Vittorio Emmanuele

Now Italy is a REPUBLIC Made up of 20 Regions and called by its national name: LA REPUBBLICA ITALIANA

The President of Italy is Giorgio Napolitano

Silvio Berlusconi Prime Minister

Examples of Berlusconi being a racist, gauche and ill-mannered: In 2003, he advised investors in New York to relocate to Italy because the secretaries were better looking than their American counterparts. “ Another reason to invest in Italy is that we have beautiful secretaries … superb girls! ”

Examples of Berlusconi being a racist, gauche and ill-mannered: In November 2008 he was accused of being racist, or at least gauche, when he hailed then President-elect Obama as “ handsome, young and also suntanned. ”

Examples of Berlusconi being a racist, gauche and ill-mannered: Two days after Italy ’ s biggest earthquake for 30 years made 17,000 people homelsess, Berlusconi toured some of the tent sites around l ’ Aquila and said those made homeless should see it as a camping trip. (Tent cities were put up and people endured freezing temperatures.)

Examples of Berlusconi being a racist, gauche and ill-mannered: To a German MEP: “ I know that in Italy there is a man producing a film on Nazi concentration camps – I shall put you forward for the role of Kapo (a guard chosen from among the prisoners) – you would be perfect! ”

Examples of Berlusconi being a racist, gauche and ill-mannered: “ I ’ d go anywhere with you, even to a deserted island. If I weren ’ t already married, I would marry you straight away. ” His wife, Veronica Lario, wrote a letter published in a national newspaper calling for a public apology which she duly received.

Berlusconi was acused of embarassing his country by yelling a greeting at US President Barack Obama and earning a rebuke from the Queen during an official G20 photo shoot in London. He bellowed: “ Mr. Obama! ”, to which he received a quiet response of “ Mr. Berlusconi ” from the US President. The Queen bristled at his booming voice and said: “ What is it? Why does he have to shout so loud? ”

Mara Cafagna Men’s magazine model later, Equal Opportunities Minister

Countries Bordering Italy On the west: FRANCIA

Countries Bordering Italy On the north: SVIZZERA

Countries Bordering Italy On the northeast: AUSTRIA

Countries Bordering Italy On the east: SLOVENIA

le montagne ( mountain ranges) In the north, running from west to east gli ALPI

le montagne Forming the backbone of Italy are the Appenines and running from north to south Gli APPENNINI

Principal Rivers fiumi There are three fiumi: In the north… the PO In Rome…the TEVERE In Florence…the Arno

Islands la SICILIA Two major islands are: la SICILIA

Islands The other major island: la SARDEGNA

Monetary Unit Is the “Euro” 1 Euro = $1.37 or 1 USD = € 0,78

Religions Being home to the Vatican, Italy is 90% Roman Catholic

Religions But two other religions are becoming stronger: Protestant & Islamic 40% of all immigrants entering Italy today are Muslim.

Religions There is also a small Jewish population

Literacy Rate: 99% Unemployment: Unemployment: 6.2% Italy 8.6% US

Agriculture fruits vegetables

Agriculture grapes/ l’uva olives/le olive

Agriculture Dairy products: formaggio mozzarella (southern Italy)

Agriculture parmigiano reggiano Dairy products: formaggio – parmigiano reggiano Region: Emilia Romagna – NorthItaly

Agriculture Dairy products: formaggio provolone

Agriculture Fish: il pesce

la moda the fashion industry

le automobili Fiat Bravo Fiat Marrekech Fiat Punto F.I.A.T. the automobile industry

“Alfa Competizione” Alfa Romeo

Ferrari Ferrari “Enzo” Ferrari F430

Ferrari Enzo FXX Maranello Modena

Maserati Maserati Bird Cage

Lamborghini Lamborghini Diablo

Lamborghini Lamborghini Diablo 2 Lamborghini Gallardo Lamborghini Murcielago

ceramica italiana ceramic vase ceramica italiana

Turismo Alitalia

mobili italiani

i vini

fine