Japan+Research+Information

=**//ITALY//**=


 * Population:** 58,133,509 (July 2006 est.) Italy has the lowest birthrate in Europe.


 * Demography of Italy:**




 * Climate:**

There are five main climactic zones: the Alpine zone, the Northern Italian Plain, the coastal Tyrrhenian area, the Adriatic coast and the Mediterranean zone. The **northern Alpine** region experiences harsh winters with plenty of rain and snow and very mild summers. The **Northern Italian** Plain or Po region experiences continental weather conditions with fairly cold, snowy winters but warm, mild summers. The **Adriatic region** also experiences cold winters. Conditions improve to become comfortably warm in the summer. On the **western side** of the country is the Ligurnian-Tyrrhenian region where the weather is moderated by the Tyrrhenian Sea resulting in cool winters, warm summers and plenty of rain. Temperatures in Rome vary between a low of 5-6°C (40-42°F) in winter and a summer high of 26-30°C (79-87°F). The **Mediterranean region**, which includes all the southern areas of Italy, rain falls more often in winter while the summer months become dry and hot.


 * Environment:**

The countryside can be dramatically beautiful, but the long presence of humans on the peninsula has had a significant impact on the environment. Centuries of tree clearing, combined with illegal building have also led to extensive land degradation and erosion. The alteration of the environment, combined with the italians’ passions for hunting, has led to many native animals and birds becoming extinct, rare or endangered.Under progressively introduced laws, many animals and birds are now protected. There are over 20 national parks in italy. Among the most important are the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso and the Parco Nazionale della Stelvio, both in the Alps and the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo.


 * Culture ( Arts,Society, music, language,tradition and customs):**

Italy is like a living museum (such as Florence, Venice, Siena, Rome , Naples or Palermo whereever you walk you can see living **arts** without going museum). In the south of italy and Sicily, there are important Greek archaelogical sites such as the temples at Paestum, south of Salerno and Agrigento in Sicily.Pompeii and herculaneum give an idea of how ancient Romans actually lived.Painters, sculptors, architects and writers flourished during Renaissance (about 1490-1520)Such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarratti, and Raphael some of the famous artist dominated during this period. Italy has best opera and Insturmental **music** artists such as Antonio Vivaldi, Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini composers from the 19th and early 20th centuries, are all stars of the modern operatic era. Tenor Luciano Pavaroti is the one of the best know opera singer in this century.

Italian, a Romance **language**, is related to French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian.Although many dialects are spoken in everyday conversation, Standard Italian is the national language of the country.English is most widely understood in the noth such as Milan, Venice and Florence. Staff at most hotels and restaurants usually speak a little english.

Italians tend to identify more strongly with their region or home town than with the nation, because italians have lived together as nation for little over 100 years. Before the unification the peninsula was varied mix of masters and cultures and this results in the survival of local dialects and customs. As a tradition modest dress is expected in all churches.In some parts of italy, especially in the south women might be harassed if they wear skimpy or see-through clothing. Family life is very important for italian people. Epifania (Feast of the Epiphny) is the very important religious holiday for children because they receive their Christmas gifts for the day. Making wine, tomato sauce, cheese ( parmasen, boccoccini, mozzerella) still continues traditional way. Families get together and celebrates. Food and Wine Pizza are the best part of italian tradition still continues everywhere in italy specially in the south of italy.


 * Laws and Government:**

Italy is divided into 20 regions for administrative purposes, the regions then divided into provinces and municiplities.The country is a parlimentary republic with its president who appoints the prime minister. The parliment consists of a senate and chamber of deputies, which have equal legislative power. The national government is in Rome. Two thirds of both houses are elected on the basis of who recives the most votes in their district.

Human rights are respected in italy. But same sex marriage is not legal in italy.Homesexuals are not offically banned from military service but still not been recognized and supported by ordinary italians. In 2004, tuscany became the first Italian region to ban discrimination against homosexuals in the areas of employment, education, public services, and accommodations.


 * Places and event of interests:**
 * Palermo's mosaics and architecture
 * The Dolomites
 * The Aeolian Islands
 * The Cinque Terre
 * Siena
 * Venice
 * Florence
 * Ancient ruins of Rome, Pompeii and Paestum
 * Italian food and wine.