Italy’s economy

Quick Glance (1)

Prior to WWII, Italy’s economy was primarily made up of agriculture, but after 1950 it began to rapidly industrialize. Due to this, in 2006 industry was responsible for 30% of the annual gross domestic product, where as agriculture only contributed 2% at this time.

In addition to this, tourism is a major industry in Italy and it contributes to their source of foreign exchange.

Northern Italy (1)

Italy’s economy is diversified in the fact that it is divided into 2 main sections, the north and south. In northern Italy, there are many private companies that are highly industrialized especially in the golden triangle which consists of Milan, Turin, and Genoa.

Since this is the region where the economy has shifted from agriculture to industry many of its products include: machinery, iron, steel, other metal products, chemicals, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, and ceramics.

This region employs over half of the laborers in Italy.

Southern Italy (1)

In southern Italy which is extremely underdeveloped compared to the north, is dominated by agriculture and is more well-fare dependent due to a high unemployment rate.

The principle product of this are include: grapes, soy beans, potatoes, sugar beets, grain, olives, olive oil, and livestock. They also wine is a major drink that is produced by the grapes grown in the region, and a lot of fishing is done here.

Exports and Imports (2)

In 2010, there was an estimated $458.4 billion in exports.

- commodities: engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals, food/beverages, tobacco, minerals, and nonferrous metals

In 2010, there was an estimated $459.7 billion in imports.

- commodities: engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing, food/beverages, and tobacco.

Italy’s most frequent trade partners are Germany, Spain, Great Britain, and France.

Exports and Imports

An Underground Economy (1)

Although Italy’s economy may not seem extremely strong, it is more powerful than one may think do to an underground economy that is out of government control but contributes around 15% of the GDP. The activities of the underground economy are most common in agriculture, construction, and service sectors.

Although the government has tried to put a stop to “organized” crimes, groups such as the Mafia have exerted a strong influence on South Italy and have hindered governmental programs aimed to help the country either economically or politically.

The Underground Economy

Facts (2)

Italy has the 3rd largest economy in the european area, however their public debt has steadily increased since 2007 and it topped 126% GDP in 2012. The GDP is now 7% below the pre-crisis level that it was in 2007.

In 2012, growth began to deteriorate with a growth at -2.3% and unemployment rising to 11%. The unemployment in youth also rose to 35%.

The GDP in 2012 in US dollars was $2.067 billion.

The GNP in 2011 in US dollars was 1.97 trillion.

The national debt as of 2012 is $1,988,658.

Resources and Main Sources of Income (2)

Italy’s natural resources include: coal, mercury, zing, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, sulfur, natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, and arable lands.

Italy has 3 main sources of income: tourism, agriculture, and the industrial sector.

The Euro (2)

The currency used in Italy, as well as many other European countries in the Euro.

One Euro converts to about $1.29 in US money.

Economy Sources

1. Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.2. "Central Intelligence Agency." CIA. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May

2013.

Italy’s Geography

Geography

Basic Facts (1)

Geographic Coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 ETotal Area: 301,340 sq km- Land compromises 294,140 sq km- Water compromises 7,200 sq kmRelative Size: it is slightly larger than

ArizonaTerrain: mostly mountainous with some

planes along with some costal lowlandsBordered By: France, Vatican City, San

Marino, Slovenia, and Switzerland

Basic Facts Continued (1)

Shape: Italy is a peninsula and is known for its famous shape as a boot. Italy is also compromised of tiny Islands around the mainland and the most famous of these islands is Sicily.

Capital: The capital of Italy is Rome and this was an easy choice for the country to make in 1871 when Italy was united after the annexation of the Papal states. It is also symbolic of the former Roman empire as well as the location symbolizes the enter of the Roman Catholic church.

Italy’s surroundings (2)

Since Italy is a peninsula, most of the country is surrounded by water which has served as a method of defense for the country.

On the south-western side of the country Italy extends into the Tyrrhenian Sea. On the north-eastern part of the country Italy extends into the Adriatic sea. The south-eastern part of the country extends into the Ionian Sea, and the north-west of the country extends into the Ligurian Sea.

Mountain Ranges (2)

Italy’s two main mountain ranges are the Alps and the Appennines. The Appennine mountain range is surrounds the north-western parts of the country and is the literal backbone of Italy. As the Appennines circle around the north-western part of the country they then connect to the Alps.

Since these mountain ranges have the shape of an arc, they strengthen the northern boundaries and help prevent foreign attacks.

Volcanoes

Mont Blanc is the home for two volcanoes in Italy. Mount Vesuvius is one of these volcanoes. It is located near Naples and is currently in a dormant state. The other volcano that inhibits this land is in Sicily and is called Mount Etna. This volcano is still very active but seldom poses a threat to nearby residents.

Rivers and Lakes

Italy has many rivers, the most famous one being the Po which is 652 km long. Some of the other famous rivers include: Tiber, Volturno, Isonzo, Adige, Arno, Piave, and the Reno.

The largest lake in Italy is Lake Garda and it covers 370 km. Some other notable lakes include: Northern Italy, Lake Como, Lake Iseo, Central Italy, Lake Bolsena, Lake Bracciano, and Lake Trasimeno.

Pictures

Alps

Lake Garda

Architecture (3)

Italy has gone through many periods where change has been evident. Along with this, Italy’s architecture has also changed and has gone through many different phases, but only a few are extremely important.

The first type is classical. This type of architecture came from the Greeks and is what influenced the Roman Empire. In this type buildings were constructed by using strict mathematical principles.

Architecture (3)

Next is the Early Medieval style. This style came about after the fall of the Roman Empire and was characterized by building churches with round arches in villages as well as key cities.

Gothic is the next architectural style and the main difference between this and the previous style is that they made use of pointed tops instead of round tops. In this style Gargoyles and bigger windows were also a trait.

Architecture (3)

Next comes the Renaissance style. This style is characterized by buildings with symmetrical arrangements, use of columns, domes, niches with sculptures, and the painting in the ceiling of chapels. (Michelangelo was very famous for his work in St. Peter’s Basilica)

The last style is known as Baroque. This style was caused by the Pope’s aim to give special ornamentation to Churches.

Architecture

Renaissance

Classical

Early Medieval

Architecture

Baroque

Gothic

Geography Sources

1. "Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.

2. "Geography of Italy." Geography of Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013.

3. "Architecture in Italy." Architecture in Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2013.

Italy’s Culture

Religion (4)

The main religion in Italy is Roman Catholic and there are more Catholic churches in Italy per capita than in any other country. This is ironic because church attendance in Italy is predominantly low, however the church’s influence is still present.

Many buildings in Italy will generally have a religious symbol either within them or on them, and in many cases it is a cross or a religious figure statue.

A saint is celebrated each day of the year, as well as children are named after a particular saint and when it is that saint’s day the children celebrate as if it is their own birthday.

The Italian Language (4)

93% of Italy are native speakers of Italian and around 50% of the population speak in some sort of dialect rather than traditional Italian. Many of these dialects are considered separate languages by linguists, however they are not recognized.

Friulian is one of the dialects found in Italy and is spoken by 1% of the population or 600,000 people. This dialect is spoken in the north east of the country.

Other languages that are spoken include: Albanian, Catalan, and Sardinian.

The Italian Appearance (4)

Appearances mean everything in Italy, and first impressions are HUGE. The way a person dresses indicates their social status, family background, and education level.

Italians are extremely fashionable and they put a lot of work into keeping up with the latest trends. There is a concept called the “bella figure” and this is a good image that everyone strives to have.

In Italy you will be judged on your clothes, shoes, accessories, and appearance.

The Bella Figure

Food (1)

Food in the Italian culture is very important and serves as a way to maintain and establish relationships. Due to this, no one who enters a home should go without an invitation of something to eat or drink.

The different regions in Italy also differ the methods of preparation for some food. In general, the north tends to have lighter meals and veal is more often found. In the south, they have a reputation of having more heavier and substantial meals.

A Typical Daily Menu (1)

Breakfast: hard roll, butter, fruit, strong coffee/juice

Lunch: some type of pasta, soup, bread, and sometimes meat/fish.

Dinner: leftovers

In past years it was more common for lunch to be the biggest meal of the day, however in modern times it is not strange to see the lunch and dinner menus switched so that the dinner meal can also constitute as a family meal.

Food Customs for Special Events (1)

On some occasions there are special foods that are specific to certain holidays.

There is a Saint Joseph’s bread, Easter bread with hard boiled eggs, Saint Lucy’s “eyes”, and the feast of the 7 fishes for New Years Eve.

Wine is regularly served with most meals.

Social Classes (1)

There is an extreme wealth difference from that of the North and the South and there are some symbols that portray this. The biggest symbol is speech, which serves as social boundary marker. If a person has more education than standard, their speech will be closer to traditional Italian and will stray away from dialect. Another boundary is within food. The wealthy eat more veal and steak where as the poor eat more of the staple food, however both groups consume pasta. The last boundary is how leisure time is spent. Depending on where you spend your leisure time and how much leisure time you spend can also determine what social class one belongs to.

Status of Men and Women (1)

In the Italian culture, the women was given the name of being the “soul” of the family whereas the man was given the name of being the “head.” The men were supposed to go out and defend their family while the women took care of the children and tried not to disgrace the family with their appearance.

This however was the traditional role that men and women were supposed to play, but this is not the case anymore. Women are now given more power than they were traditionally supposed to have, and are considered one of the most liberated groups in Italy.

Marriage (1)

In past Italian ways, marriages were arranged and the women brought a dowry with her, but unlike other cultures there were ways for the children to help their parents arrange their marriage so they would be with a person that they prefer.

Now marriage is as free as anywhere else in the world, and divorces are now allowed.

There is still a custom for a child to remain unmarried to care for their parents.

Recreational Activities (2)

As expected, the biggest recreational activity in Italy is soccer and every major city has a professional team. There are however other popular sports that are played as well such as: basketball, cycling, fishing, baseball and roller skating.

Non-sport related activities include family strolls (generally done on Sundays), driving to the mountains and or beach, watching TV, or going to the movies.

Italian Holidays (3)

Epiphany: takes place on the 1st of January and is a celebration of Jesus’ visit with the 3 magi, his baptism by john the Baptist, and the first miracle he performed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kJKryzaUhH0

Liberation Day: celebrated on April 25th and it commemorates the liberation of Italy by allied troops in WWII.

May Day: celebrated on May 1st and is a day for left political parties to protest their various causes.

More Italian Holidays (3)

Festival of the Republic: celebrated on June 2nd and is a celebration of the day that Italy abolished the monarchy and became a republic.

Ferragosto: celebrated on August 15 and is one of the most celebrated holidays as it celebrates the rise of Mary up to heaven with Jesus.

August: The entire month of August is somewhat considered a holiday for Italy since everyone escapes the Italian heat and goes on vacation.

Culture Sources

1. "Countries and Their Cultures." Culture of Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.

2. "Italy." : Recreational Activities. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.

3. "Holidays in Italy." Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.

4. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/italy-country-profile.html