Italian Culture

Italian Culture

A rich tapestry

From the Mediterranean south to the alpine north , Italy is a nation with a rich and sometimes turbulent history . The Italian culture is the product of many influences , but is unique in its own right . Italy is not a large nation in comparison to others , but its influence on our world has been profound

Italy is located on a peninsula extending into the Mediterranean Sea The 58 million people who live there are both proud and welcoming of others . The climate can vary widely from the

cooler mountains in the north to the balmy coast along the Mediterranean . The population is densely packed and diverse . The rich history of the country and the beautiful sights make Italy one of the world 's most popular tourist destinations

A Brief History

Italy , as a nation-state , was formed in 1861 as a combination of smaller regions . The history of the Italian people goes back much farther . For 3000 years the land now known as Italy was invaded and conquered by various other powers

Italy was home to several artistic and literate civilizations , such as the Etruscans , Greeks and Romans . Religion is important in the lives of Italians . The Vatican , located within Rome , is itself an independent Catholic country

The ancient Roman Empire was a dominant force , both militarily and culturally . At one point the empire encompassed much of Europe stretching as far north as modern day Scotland . During this period phenomenal advances were made in science , technology and philosophy Eventually the empire established Christianity as its official religion In the following centuries , Popes would wield a great deal of power over Italy and the rest of Europe

World War Two was a particularly tumultuous time for Italians . The fascist dictator Benito Mussolini established a regime that allied itself with Nazi Germany . Allied forces invaded to drive Axis forces out . Mussolini was deposed and publicly executed as the war drew to a close . The suffering of the people during the war was accompanied by the destruction and plunder of many precious relics , some thousands of years old

The People

The median age of an Italian is 42 .2 years . The population is relatively stable , only rising at the rate of .04 yearly (CIA , 2006 . About 90 are Roman Catholic , but there are also well established Protestant Jewish and Muslim communities

In this sense , Italy may be out of step with the rest of Europe According to Tracy Wilkinson of the Los Angeles Times

When the Vatican looks out at the state of the Western

European family , it is alarmed . It sees parents and children

at the mercy of overly secular nations awash in laws and

practices that liberalize evils , from abortion to gay

marriage (2006 , Pg .1

In keeping with their religion , family is a central element of Italian life . Strong family values also characterize Italian immigrants to other countries . It is a major factor in their success . Family responsibilities come before any other . It is traditionally a patriarchal...