Rome, the Winter Olympic Games , Wine, Ferrari, gorgeous beaches – Italy has it all. If you are considering traveling to Italy, these are some things you need to know.

An helicopter view of Italy for Travelers

From a ECU viewpoint, there’s little doubt that Italy is the foundation of modern society in the West. This is conclusion is primarily due to two facts, the reign of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church.

In more modern times, Italy turned into a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, together with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor Emmanuel II. An era of parliamentary state came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito Mussolini established a Fascist dictatorship. His terrible coalition with Fascist Germany led to Italy’s defeat in World War II.

A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and commercial revival followed. Italy was a charter member of the ECU Business Community. It’s been at the forefront of EU commercial and political unification. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, arranged crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared to the wealthy north.

If you’re going to Italy, here are some basic things you want to know.

1. Northern Italy is wealthy while the south is not.

2. Italy is slightly larger state of Arizona.

3. Italy’s climate is mainly Mediterranean with Alpine in far north and hot, dry areas in the south.

4. Vatican Town in Rome is considered an independent country.

5. You cannot get into any area of the Vatican wearing shorts.

6. Rome had the 1st paved streets in 170 B.C. Vehicles needed to be banned because of traffic jams!

7. Roman gladiators were the first athletes to advocate products.

8. Considered one of the oddest Emperors, Caligula appointed his horse to a senate position among other more infamous actions.

9. Roman ordinances were awfully practical. The heads could be removed and replaced to reflect the changes in political climate.

10. When the Roman armed forces lost a battle, they actually took it hard. Chiefs would kill each tenth soldier under their command. This act is the root of the word “decimate.”

11. Surprising to many is the fact there were serious time periods where ancient Rome had no Emperor. The senate would rule. In times of threat, the senate would elect a person as Emperor. He had absolute power, giving rise to the term tyrant.

12. Vast percentages of Romans died from lead poisoning. They used is as a sweetener!

13. In the early 1900’s, Prince Piero Ginori Conti invented the geothermal pump. He is considered the daddy of modern geothermal power.

14. 20 Italians have won the Nobel Prize.

15. Michelangelo’s actual name is Michelangelo Buonarroti.

16. The population of Italy as of 2005 was 58,103,033 people.

17. The flag of Italy was inspired by the French flag brought in 1797 by Napoleon.

18. Lehman Bros owns 7 p.c of Ferrari.

19. Italy trails only Brazil in World Cup wins.

Italy is an amazing country with colorful, animated folks. From traditional culture to a bustling modern country, a visit to Italy is tough to beat.

Do you enjoy reading this? If yes, you may also visit famouswonders.com to read more about some of the best places to visit in the world and have a look at place to visit in Italy.