Each of us has his way, when it comes to Italy.For some, the country Italy - a historical and cultural monuments, such as the Forum and Colosseum in Rome, Palazzo Medici and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, St. Mark's Square in Venice and the famous leaning tower of Pisa.For others, this country is associated with the work of director Federico Fellini, Bertolucci, Perelli, Antonioni and Francesco Rosi, musical creativity Morricone and Ortolani, incomparable actor's work Giulietta Masina, Monica Bellucci, Sophie Loren, Michele Placido, Adriano Celentano.Someone heard about Italy, immediately recall the famous Italian pizza, pasta, minestrone and fritattu.Country 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.
little history
Italy has had a great impact on the social and cultural development not only European countries, but of all mankind.
in this country have been found archaeological artifacts that prove the fact of settlement of the territory by ancient people.It can be argued that ancient Italy was the starting point in the development of human civilization.The Roman Empire was not only able to conquer large areas and to create a powerful state, but also brought to the conquered lands and their cultural traditions and economic knowledge.
Under pressure ready in 476 the Western Roman Empire collapsed, resulting in the Apennine peninsula formed many small specific states.
modern Italy emerged only in 1871, thanks to the efforts of Giuseppe Garibaldi and his companions.That year, Rome was declared the capital of the state, which consisted of a small kingdom and duchy.
twentieth century proved to be quite difficult and tragic for the Italian Republic.In the period from 1922 to 1945 the country was ruled by fascists led by Benito Mussolini and was involved in World War II.In 1946, the last king of Italy - Umberto - abdicated, followed by a rather long crisis.The decline of industry and agriculture, the band failed reforms - all experienced Italy.Europe, like the rest of the world watched with amazement for change and the so-called Italian economic miracle.The country's development was accompanied by a variety of high-profile political scandals, trials of members of the mafia and terrorist acts "Red Brigades".
Today the country is Italy - one of the highly developed European states engaged in export to most countries of the world.Movies, cars, fashionable clothes and shoes, fine wines, created in this country, are in demand worldwide.The hospitality and cordiality of Italians, coupled with the beautiful nature and contribute to the development of hotel business that is booming tourism.Italy annually receives many tourists from around the world.
Geographical location
State Italy, located in the south of Europe, thanks to its shape, is one of the most recognizable in the world on a map.The mainland part of the Italian "boot" takes the peninsula and a small part of the Balkan and indicates "the toe" to the west, towards the islands of Sardinia and Sicily.In addition to these islands, the Italian Republic belong to the islands of Capri, Ischia and Elba.It has borders with countries such as Austria, Slovenia, France and Switzerland.The Vatican and San Marino - two tiny countries that are enclaves and are in the territory of Italy.Sea washes the country from three sides: from the south - the Mediterranean and the Ionian, in the east - the Adriatic, from the west - the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian.
Relief
Most (almost ¾ throughout Italy) occupy the hills and mountains.From south to north, the Apennine Mountains stretch from the apex of the root.Mountain range of the Alps located in the northern region of the country.The highest mountain of the array - Mont Blanc - has a height of 4807 meters.Country Italy - one of the few in Europe where fixed seismic activity Earth's crust and are arranged active volcanoes such as Stromboli, Vesuvius and Etna.
plains occupy only 1/5 of its total area, which is 300 thousand sq. M.km.The biggest area - Po Valley located between the Apennine mountain range and the Alps.Small in size and has a plain on the coast.
Rivers and lakes Rivers
Italy are mainly concentrated in the northern region.The biggest of them - on - flowing from the slopes of the Alps and ends Kotskih its way into the Adriatic Sea.Tiber River is the second largest, and it is linked to the Arno river and through the flow channel system.Both of these rivers, the Arno and the Tiber, are unpredictable and notorious for its devastating floods.
Most Italian rivers - a short mountain streams that form a small river systems or flow directly into the sea.Only Northern Italy can "boast" developed river system, fueled by a large number of year-round rainfall and flow from the glacier melt water.
Most of the Italian lakes are located on the Adriatic coast, in the foothills of the mountain and alpine areas.The largest of Lake Garda, with an area of almost 370 km2, is located in the outskirts of the Alps.Lakes such as Albano, Bracciano, Bolsena, Vico and Nemi, located in the central region of Italy, formed as a result of water filling the craters of extinct volcanoes.Lake Lesina, Varano de Valli Comacchio were formed as a result of the closure of waters of the lagoon sand barriers.The depth of their small and the water - salt.
Administrative division
whole country can be conditionally divided into three main regions: the north, south and center.Officially, as spelled out in the Constitution of the Italian Republic in Art.116 dated 11 December 1947, it is subdivided into 20 regions, each of which is divided into provinces.Five of the 20 regions are autonomous entities, where they live ethnic and linguistic minorities.In Sardinia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Sicily, Valle d'Aosta and Trentino-Alto Adige, in addition to the state of the Italian language is used and the other official languages.
Province Italy divided into communities (communes), total number - 8101. Commune, as well as the province, quite noticeably different in the territory and the number of people living in them.The largest community of communes is considered located in the Lazio region city of Rome, which is the capital and the entire state.It is located near the center of the western region of the peninsula, on the banks of the Tiber River, not far from where it flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea.Rome in Italy - it is not only the capital, but also political, historical, cultural and tourist center of global significance.
Economic and geographical differences
Rarely in any capitalist countries can be seen as sharp differences in economic development, which demonstrate the South and the North of Italy.
the most industrialized region of Italy - the so-called Northern Triangle, which includes cities such as Genoa, Milan and Turin.Milan is the business, commercial and industrial center of the country and the second most populous city in Italy, often referred to as the business capital of the country.Turin is known for its car factory "Fiat" and the service of its production.Genoa is Italy's largest port, and the city and its suburbs are many works of industrial enterprises.In addition, the Genoese coast is a major resort center.
North-eastern region of the North developed considerably weaker.The most developed city of the region is Venice, most of the revenue that tourism brings.Italy seeks to develop the rest of the city and the region, but at the same time there is a problem of contamination of the Venice lagoon industrial and municipal waste.
southern Italy has a low level of development of the industrial sector.Despite the fact that after the war in the region was built several petrochemical plants, nuclear power plants and metallurgical combine, the industrial capacity increased slightly.In this area, the Italian agriculture is conducted on ineffective technology, resulting in low yields.Naples is the most important cultural and economic center of southern Italy.It is the second largest and the importance of passenger and cargo port in the country.
Nordic region
This beautiful country is unique and unique as each province in its composition.The north of 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, the Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa.Aosta Valley is known for its ski centers and resorts such as La Thuile, Cervinia, Saw, Monte Rosa and Courmayeur.
Veneto
recognized as the most vivid and colorful, this northeastern Italian region, the Adriatic Sea, includes in its membership provinces like Rovigo, Verona, Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Treviso and Belluno.In each of them there are many cities that are considered cultural and historical heritage of the country.It is here that is a pearl of Italy, a city built on islands - Venice.
Liguria
From the border of the French Cote d'Azur and Tuscany located to the Italian region.On the one hand it is washed by the Ligurian Sea, and on the other - is surrounded by a ring of mountains.It consists of four areas: Savona, Imperia, La Spezia and Genoa.Liguria - a land of colors, where the sun shines 300 days a year, and the slopes are covered with groves of olive trees.Prior to the Principality of Monaco can be reached by car in just 20 minutes.
Lombardy
This region in northern Italy, located between the River Po and the Alps mountain range.It consists of the province such as:
- Bergamo;
- Sondrio;
- Brescia;
- Pavia;
- Varese;
- Monza e-Briyantsa;
- Cremona;
- Milan;
- Como;
- Lecco;
- Lodi;
- Mantua.
Lombardy is famous for its nature reserves and natural parks, thermal springs and ski resorts.This is one of the richest regions of Italy.
Piedmont
At the foot of the mountains, on the border of Switzerland and France, at the source of the largest Italian river Po, settled this area, famous for not only the historical, natural and cultural attractions.Piedmont is famous throughout the world wines such as Moscato d'Asti, Barolo, Nebbiolo and Barbaresco, as well as unique novarrskimi biscuits and white truffles.
Trentino-Alto Adige
this autonomous region, known for its magnificent landscapes and ski resorts, located in the territory, which borders with Austria and Switzerland.In the south, this area is adjacent to the Veneto region, in the west - with Switzerland and Lombardy, and in the north - with Austria, the border runs along the alpine ridge.Within this area two provinces - Bolzano and Trento.Interestingly, this region is the fact that in each of its provincial culture, traditions, and even the main language - different.In Bolzano, the official language - German, but most of the inhabitants of Trento speak only Italian.The main income of the region brings tourism.Trentino-Alto Adige is famous for its ski resorts, such as Madonna di Campiglio.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
It is the most eastern region of northern Italy, which borders with Croatia, Austria and Slovenia.Located Friuli-Venezia Giulia on the Adriatic coast and has the status of an administrative region, which consists of two historical provinces - Venezia Giulia and Friuli, which for various reasons had to unite.Despite a fairly long period of co-existence, each of the regions has retained its own characteristics and personality.Today, in this region the four provinces of Gorizia, Pordenone, Udine and Trieste.They produce the most famous white wine Pinot Grigio.
Emilia-Romagna
is considered one of the richest Italian regions.It is bordered on the south by the Apennine mountains to the east by the Adriatic Sea, and on the north by the river Po.The area is divided into two parts - the north-west and Emilia Romagna south-east, which borders with the Republic of San Marino.The region is famous not only as popular tourist destination cities such as Modena, Ravennna, Reggio, Rimini and Ferarri.In this region there are such well-known companies automotive companies as Dallara, Ducati, De Tomaso, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Morini and Malaguti.A local autodrome regularly hosts major international competitions.
Center Italy
For the central regions of Italy are:
- Abruzzo;
- Lazio;
- Marche;
- Molise;
- Tuscany;
- Umbria.
Abruzzo
this Italian region located in the center of the country, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountain range.It borders with such regions as Molise, Marche and Lazio.The structure consists of Abruzzo Province of Teramo, Chieti, Pescara and L`Akvila.
Abruzzo distinguished by a high standard of living and economic stability, which has become possible due to the authorities' attention to both the development of tourism and to support the agricultural sector.In this area will find a rest for the soul as lovers of mountaineering and skiing, as well as fans of beach recreation.
Lazio
This central Italian region and is also the capital.It is located in the Lazio Rom, which is also the main city of the region.In this area, the five provinces of Viterbo, Latina, Rome, Rieti, Frosinone.This region belongs to a small group of volcanic islands in the center of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Marche
In the heart of Italy, on the Adriatic coast is a region of the Marche.It consists of six provinces: Ancona, Macerata, Ascoli Piceno, Pesaro Urbino and farms.
attracts tourists to this region primarily Italian beaches, small and cozy in Sinigaglia and spacious and broad in San Benedetto del Tronto.Interestingly, the region and lovers of caving: many caves, such as Frasassi, available for visits.
Molise
Located in the south of Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountain range.Molise is bordered by the Campaign in the south, in the north of Abruzzo, Lazio to the west and the east of the Apulia.In this area, only two provinces of Isernia and Campobasso.Molise - one of the most underdeveloped in the industrialized regions of Italy.An exception is the area of Termoli, which is a small venture company "FIAT" and a plant for the production of bells in Agnone.The largest city in the region of Molise is not, and is not very large settlements are located mainly in the foothills.
Tuscany
this region of central Italy bordered by the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Sea in the west and in the east it is bounded by the Apennines Tosco-Emilyanskimi.Tuscany is bordered on the east by the Umbria and Marche, in the north - Emilia-Romagna, in the south - with Lazio.Not far from the coast of Tuscany, there are several islands that make up the Tuscan Archipelago: Gorgona, Giglio, Dzhannuti, Montecristo, Pianosa, CAD and Elba.
The structure consists of 10 provinces of Tuscany: Arezzo, Grosseto, Lucca, Livorno, Massa Carrara, Prato, Pisa, Pistoia, Siena and Florence, each of which has its capital of the same name.
this Italian region, except for the beautiful landscapes, has many cultural and historical monuments, the most famous of which is concentrated in the provinces such as Florence, Siena, Livorno and Pisa.It was born in Tuscany and worked such famous figures as Leonardo da Vinci and Petrarch, Dante Alighieri and Michelangelo, and many others.
Umbria
This is a unique Italy.Sea coastline, or absent.It is bordered only by the Marche, Lazio and Tuscany.As part of Umbria just two provinces: Perugia and Terni.
Most of the territory is all hills and mountains.Plain can only be found in the valleys of such rivers as the Velino, Nera and Tiber.e.
