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CUSINE Italian cuisine is regional. Extremely; though you may think about, say, Tuscan, or Friulano, or Piemontese cooking, the variations are actually much more local. A couple of examples: The reason for this culinary fragmentation is simple: With the exception of the nobility and the clergy, before WWII most Italians simply didn't travel, and as a result every town and every valley has something unique. Neighboring towns and valleys will also share techniques, or recipes, albeit with individualistic twists, but from one end of a region to the other the picture can change completely. Therefore, when speaking of regional cuisines, it's a good idea to keep in mind that we are really dealing with a series of local cuisines, each of which is related to those around it. Having said this, one can make some broad distinctions from North to South. Though now extra virgin olive oil is popular throughout Italy, this has not always been true. With the exception of a few areas near lakes that exert a moderating influence, Northern Italy is too cold for olive trees to grow, and as a result much of the population used butter for cooking. In much of Central and Southern Italy, and the Islands, on the other hand, people cooked with olive oil. Much but not all; rendered lard was used in Campania, Basilicata, the Abruzzo, and Calabria until recently. In the days before industrialization, dry pasta made from durum wheat, water, and a pinch of salt (spaghetti, rigatoni, and so on), was easier to make, and therefore more popular, in the South, where warmer temperatures and increased sunlight hastened the drying of the pasta. And indeed, though there are now dry pasta factories everywhere, modern Italians generally feel that southerners still make the best dry pasta. Central and parts of Northern Italy (especially Emilia Romagna and Piemonte) are instead known for fresh pasta made with eggs, flour, and salt, for example tagliateli, tajarin, or, all of which are flat forms. The center and north are also known for stuffed pasta, for example raviolli or tortellini, and one can find these kinds of pasta in areas where they didn't eat much flat or dry pasta until recently, for example Lombardia. What did they eat in the sections of the north where pasta wasn't as popular in the past? Polenta, or corn meal mush, which was a staple food of the poor, and risotto; most of the world's best short-grained strains of rice, including Arborio, Carnaroli, and Vialone Nano are North Italian. The South is much warmer and has a much longer growing season than the North. As a result vegetables that thrive under hotter conditions, especially tomatoes, are more popular in the South, which thus also has many more dishes with red sauces than the North. Among the other more Southern vegetables are eggplant and brocolli. In the North, on the other hand, one finds plants better adapted to cooler temperatures and less sunlight, for example head cabbages, black leaf kale, cardoons, and radiccio. Given its position in the middle of the Mediterranean, Italy is a crossroads, and many foreign powers have left their mark. As you might expect, you'll find quite a bit of French influence (regional French, not haute cuisine) in the areas of Liguria, Piemonte, and the Valle D'Aosta bordering France, and Austro-Hungarian influences in the Veneto, Trentino Alto Adige, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. There is also Spanish influence, especially in Milano, which was under the Spaniards for a time; this Spanish influence surfaces again in the South, which was ruled by the Bourbons until the unification of Italy in mid 1850s, and in Sardinia, which was ruled directly by Spain for a time. You'll find English influence in Tuscany, where the classic bistecca alla fiorentina and zuppa inglese, English steak and English trifle, respectively, were initially prepared for the enjoyment of the sizeable English colony that settled Tuscany in the 1800s. And you'll find Jewish influences in Rome, dating to the 1500s, when Jews fleeing the Inquisition settled in the Eternal City. Finally, in Sicily you'll find a fascinating mixture of Roman influence, Arab influences dating both to the time that Sicily was an Arab province, and to more recent trade with North Africa (cuscus, for example), Norman French influence, and Spanish influence. In short, Italian food is as varied as the land and the people, and this means that there are a great many delights to be discovered.
 * **To celebrate Christmas,** the residents of the Tuscan city of Siena enjoy Panforte, a nutty fruitcake sweetened with honey that dates back to the middle ages, and Ricciarelli, chewy orange-laced amaretti. Come the season, every bar and pastry shop makes them and proudly puts them on display. In Florence, which is just a half hour's drive from Siena, you wouldn't have found either, at least not freshly made, until quite recently, and Florentines who buy Panforte (much is bought by tourists) say it's a Sienese thing.
 * **Friuli Venzia Giulia has many ties** with central Europe, and as a result the cuisine includes ingredients one simply doesn't find in much of the rest of Italy. Sauerkraut, for example, which the inhabitants of the highlands above Trieste combine with beans to make Jota(pronounced //Yota)//, an unusual but tasty bean soup that's one of the area's signature dishes. Jota is made with sauerkraut as far inland as Gorizia, about 40 miles, where they also add barley, but if you continue on to Cormons, another 9 miles, you'll find it made with brovada, pickled turnips, rather than sauerkraut. And if you continue on to Udine, another 15 miles, people consider it to be foreign and don't make it.
 * The Use of Fats**
 * The Kinds of Pasta Used**
 * Popular Vegetables**
 * Foreign Influences**

CLIMATE **Italy’s** climate changes with the seasons, much like the rest of the world. During the winter months, many people choose to visit the Alps for skiing and winter activities. **Milan**, **Turin**, and **Venice** are also regions that bear the brunt of the winter cold. Temperatures in the south of **Italy** are normally more mild with averages of 50 to 60 degrees from December thru April. The western region of **Italy**, where you’ll find the Tyrrhenian Sea, has mild seasons. Temperatures in the summertime normally stay within the 79 to 87 degree average. Winters are also milder than the northern region, and average lows in the winter are between 40 to 42 degrees. The beautiful southern or Mediterranean Region of **Italy** has wider rainfall totals in the winter months, and dry summer conditions. This is where you’ll find the sirocco, which is an African wind that is very hot, and blows over the Mediterranean Region throughout the summer months.

There is an extensive and well maintained road network. Tolls are charged on the autostradas (motorways). As in the rest of continental Europe, vehicles travel on the right and overtake on the left. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory for front- and back-seat passengers as well as for the driver. The use of portable telephones is prohibited if they require intervention by hand to function. Speed limits are fixed at 50km (31miles) per hour in urban areas, 90km (56miles) per hour on secondary and local roads, 110km (68miles) per hour on main roads outside urban areas and 130km (80miles) per hour on motorways. ATI (the domestic service offered by Alitalia) and other domestic airlines provide daily links between the Italian airports. The main airports are in Rome (FCO), two in Milan: Linate (LIN) and Malpensa (MXP), and Naples (NAP) but there are also smaller airports in Torino (TRN), Venezia (VCE), Genova (GOA), Bologna (BLG), Pisa (PSA), Palermo (PMO), Catania (CTA), Cagliari (CAG). Good coach services run between cities and towns and there are also good local bus services. The main operators are SITA, Autostradale and Lazzi. Train Travel The Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) is the state railway and there are also a few private railway companies. The rail network is adequately developed and widespread, especially between major urban centers and tourist areas. The fastest trains operate on the networks between the major cities while the regional trains are fairly slow. It is also fairly cheap and efficient. Petrol is called benzina, unleaded petrol is benzina senza piombo and diesel is gasolio. Almost all the service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free petrol (95 octane) and diesel fuel. Italy recognizes driving licenses and other traffic documents that are valid in other countries. Citizens from none countries require a green card or equivalent international insurance certificate. Regular boat services run to the islands of Capri, Elba, Sardegna, Sicilia and the Aeolian Islands. Many towns have bicycle-hire shops and although it is a popular mode of transport within certain regions, long-distance cycling around Italy is only for the very fit as seventy-five percent of the country is hilly. ||
 * TRANSPORT ||
 * ** Road Travel **
 * Air Travel **
 * Bus Travel **
 * Petrol **
 * Driving Licenses **
 * Ferries **
 * Bicycles **

Speaking technically, **Italy** is 116,341 square miles of rolling lands and wonderful waterways. It’s current population is 57,380,000 and the population of the capitol city, Rome is 2,645,322. Of course, **Italy’s** **national** **language** is Italian - The Language of Romance If you are trying to figure out the time difference between where you are, and where you will be while staying in **Italy** - the time conversion is GMT +1, and the electrical outlet usage is 220 Volts AC, 50Hz. If you have ever traveled in and around Europe, especially from the United States, you know how important it is to determine the electricity before you travel, so that you can make arrangements for adaptation if needed. Now, not so technically speaking, **Italy** is the land of beauty and grace, as well as the best pasta found in the world. Such great historic people such as Michelangelo and Da Vinci, Dante, and Machiavelli have come from **Italy**. The Vatican City is found in **Italy**, where Catholicism, and the Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th and reigning Pope, the spiritual head of the Catholic Church can also be found. The historical treasures alone are enough to make even the most timid traveler long to see this glorious country. ||
 * ** Geography ** ||
 * The **Geographical** **area** in and around **Italy** is beautiful and the people that inhabit this wonderful country are a timeless treasure.


 * ** Sport & Activities ** ||

Other **activities** **in** **Italy** include skiing in the famous Italian Alps. **Italy** has many ski resorts, such as Bardonechia, and La Thuile. There are also hikes and climbing activities to keep you busy, and to allow you to enjoy the beautiful landscape that **Italy** offers. Gran Paradiso National Park and Mont Avic Regional Park are two very popular places to go hiking a rock climbing. They are also home to many species of wildlife, so take caution, and watch out for the Marsican Brown Bear, which is only found in **Italy**, as well as wolves if you plan any outdoor activities. Horseback riding is a very popular past time in **Italy**. You can watch bareback **horse** **races** **in** **Siena** at the Palio during July and August. Last, but certainly not least, be sure to tour the great wine cellars of **Tuscany**. You can experience the beautiful wine country land, with its vine covered hills, and fields of sunflowers. Many wine cellars are open to the public for tours. || RELIGION
 * Water sports abound in many areas of the country. The most popular spots are the Italian Riviera in Liguria and the Adriatic and Amalfi coasts. You may also just want to lay by the beach in Sicily or Sardinia. Sardinia is home to Italy’s most popular diving spots. In Capri, which is **Italy’s** most visited island, you can take a boat from the Marina Grande to the ever popular Blue Grotto.

(please do not open any links in section underneath!) Catholicism is by far the largest religious group in Italy. (Catholics make up 87.8% of the population, with 36.8% considering themselves practicing Catholics and 30.8% attending Church every Sunday.[1]) However, there are also some important religious minorities. According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005:[2]
 * **74%** of Italian citizens responded that //they believe there is a God//;
 * **16%** answered that //they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force//;
 * **6%** answered that //they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force//.

Demography
This is a scheme of the religious composition of Italian population (58,751,711 - 2006, estimated):
 * Christians: 53,800,000 (91.6%)
 * Catholics: 51,600,000 (87.8%)
 * Roman Catholics: 51,500,000 (87.6%)
 * Eastern Rite Catholics: 100,000 (0.2%)
 * Italo-Albanians: 60,000 (0.1%)[3]
 * Others (Romanian-Catholics, Ukrainian Greek Catholics, Armenian Catholics, etc.): 40,000 (0.07%)
 * Other Christians: 2,200,000 (3.8%)
 * Eastern Orthodox: 950,000 (1.6%)[4]
 * Romanian Orthodox: 500,000 (0.85%)
 * Ukrainian Orthodox: 180,000 (0,31%)
 * Moldovan Orthodox: 100,000 (0,15%)
 * Others (Bulgarian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc.): 180,000 (0.31%)
 * Protestants: 725,000 (1.3%)
 * Evangelicals and Pentecostals: 550,000 (0.94%)
 * Assemblies of God: 400,000 (0.68%)
 * Others: 150,000 (0.25%)
 * Mainline Protestants: 175,000 (0.20%)[5][6]
 * Waldensians and Methodists: 57,000 (0.09%)
 * Waldensians: 50,000 (0.08%)
 * Methodists: 7,000 (0.01%)
 * Seventh-day Adventists: 25,000 (0.04%)
 * Baptists: 20,000 (0.03%)
 * Brethren: 20,000 (0.03%)
 * Lutherans: 8,000 (0.01%)
 * Anglicans: 15,000 (0.03%)
 * Others (Disciples of Christ, Reformed, Presbyterians, Mennonites, etc.): 30,000 (0.05%)
 * Jehovah's Witnesses: 500,000 (0.85%)
 * Latter-day Saints: 25,000 (0.04%)
 * Muslims: 1,210,000 (2.1%)[4]
 * Buddhists: 160,000 (0.3%)[4]
 * Hindus: 115,000 (0.2%)[4]
 * Sikhs: 70,000 (0.1%)[7]
 * Jews: 45,000 (0.1%)
 * Bahá'ís: 4,900[8]
 * No Religion: 3,400,000 (5.8

=Events and Entertainment in Italy= Monuments, museums, hotels and restaurants are all very well, but if you want to add some colour and enchantment to your holiday in Italy, do as the Italians do, and seek out some entertainment. Italy has the most famous opera house in the world, and an unrivalled artistic tradition. It also has colourful festivals, historical pageants and rituals, and one of the world's finest football leagues. There's something for everyone, and I strongly advise you to sample some of the wealth of options Italy presents.

Festivals in Italy
Italians are very keen on festivals and celebrations of all sorts. Festivals range from local religious processions to avant-garde musical events. There is something for everyone, whether you prefer sampling different wines or watching wild horse races. Carnevale - the pre-Lenten carnival - is popular all over Italy, although nowadays it is mostly a children's event; you'll see small children in fancy costumes being taken around town over streets daubed with party-string and confetti. The most famous celebration is the venetian carnival, which has a decadent history, although the current event is a reborn tourist attraction. Venice is full of visitors in elaborate fancy dress, with public catwalk parades and private masked balls. Summer in Italy is hot, and many towns put on outdoors festival seasons of music, dance and shows for both visitors and locals. Often these take place in the local ruins, castle or park - in some cases the entertainment is free and is well worth investigating. Throughout the year but particularly in autumn there are many opportunities in small towns to sample a //sagra//. These are sometimes modern, sometimes traditional events to celebrate a local product or harvest. The most common is for the wine harvest, but all sorts of other local specialities are celebrated in this way, from strawberries to artichokes. Generally there'll be free tasting, stalls, music, dancing and perhaps a historical procession. Italians in historic towns are fond of re-enacting their past, and medieval parades, jousts and flag-throwing displays are all popular.

Opera in Italy
Just like the cliches say, opera is at the heart of Italian culture. You really can walk along tiny side-streets, and hear cheerfully-sung arias issuing from shop doorways. The most famous opera-house in Italy is probably La Scala in Milan, one of the world's leading venues. The audience here are glamorous and include the hard-to-please aficionados whose booing recently provoked Roberto Alagna into stalking offstage. In Venice La Fenice was the setting for many important operatic debuts and premieres. After being burnt down in 1996 it has been rebuilt just as it was. Rome's Teatro dell'Opera is another fine place to attend an opera, and it has a spectacular outdoors summer season in the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. Another outdoors season, and the most popular with tourists, is the summer opera season at the Roman Arena in Verona; where seating may be uncomfortable but the atmosphere attracts thousands every year.

Ballet in Italy
Ballet in Italy has a long and proud past, although nowadays it lacks the popular appeal of opera. The best ballet is to be seen in Milan at La Scala, where the performers and shows are world-class. Rome offers the ballet of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. There are some good companies in Italy, but they frequently lose their best dancers to more prestigious overseas companies. There are quite a few touring companies, and in summer months there are many outdoor performances and festivals. Highlight of the festival season is the festival dei due mondi in spotelo. The charming Umbrian hill-town gets taken over by music and dance of an international standard. In 2002, dance highlights included Nederlands Dans Theater and a gala featuring dancers from the Royal Ballet, the Bolshoi, the Kirov and others.

Italian football
Italian football has had a rollercoaster ride in recent years, from the shame of match-fixing scandals to the glories of winning the World Cup. However sceptical you (and the fans) might be about refereeing, conspiracies etc., watching a match here is still a dramatic and unforgettable event. The atmosphere can range from euphoria to bitterness to fire-setting violence ... all in the space of one match. Few matches are boring: if the on-field action is tedious, take your entertainment from the singing and flag-waving fans.