2. Italy is a little larger than the state of Arizona

3. Population: 59.832.179 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

4. monarchy Italy was once a monarchy King Vittorio Emmanuele

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

6. The President of Italy is Giorgio Napolitano

7. Silvio Berlusconi Prime Minister

8. 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! ”

9. 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. ”

10. 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.)

11. 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! ”

12. 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.

13. 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? ”

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

15. Countries Bordering Italy On the west: FRANCIA

16. Countries Bordering Italy On the north: SVIZZERA

17. Countries Bordering Italy On the northeast: AUSTRIA

18. Countries Bordering Italy On the east: SLOVENIA

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

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

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

22. Islands la SICILIA Two major islands are: la SICILIA

23. Islands The other major island: la SARDEGNA

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

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

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

27. Religions There is also a small Jewish population

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

29. Agriculture fruits vegetables

30. Agriculture grapes/ l’uva olives/le olive

31. Agriculture Dairy products: formaggio mozzarella (southern Italy)

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

33. Agriculture Dairy products: formaggio provolone

34. Agriculture Fish: il pesce

35. la moda the fashion industry

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

37. “Alfa Competizione” Alfa Romeo

38. Ferrari Ferrari “Enzo” Ferrari F430

39. Ferrari Enzo FXX Maranello Modena

40. Maserati Maserati Bird Cage

41. Lamborghini Lamborghini Diablo

42. Lamborghini Lamborghini Diablo 2 Lamborghini Gallardo Lamborghini Murcielago

43. ceramica italiana ceramic vase ceramica italiana

44. Turismo Alitalia

45. mobili italiani

46. i vini

47. fine