Part I - Italia

Italy

Italy is a beautiful country. From the pizza to the Pisa, it’s a great country all around.

It is located in Europe, surrounded by France and Switzerland. The country itself is shaped like a boot with a heel. Its’ capital city is Rome.

The entire population of Italy is roughly 60.72 million according to the census conducted in 2011. Its’ neighboring country, France, has around 65.43 million people. And in comparison, the United States has approximately 313.9 million citizens.

One remarkable tourist attraction in Italy is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tower is about 186.02 feet at its’ tallest point. It leans to the side because of a malfunction in construction. The builders of the monument never anticipated that the ground was too weak on one side to withstand the weight of the structure. Construction began on August 14th, 1173. It carried on in three short time periods over the span of 344 years. It is a major tourist fascination, admired by people from all over the world, every single day.

Another unforgettable hot spot for travelers is The Coliseum. The Coliseum (Colosseum) is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. It is built of concrete and stone and was one of the biggest amphitheaters in Roman Empire history. It was constructed in AD 70-80. It holds between 50,000 to 80,000 viewers and was used for gladiatorial contests and shows. Many different acts would be performed there like dramatic plays of Greek mythology. After the early medieval era, The Coliseum ceased to be used for entertainment purposes. Its’ existence was a rare representation of early Roman Empire history and is so significant in Italy, that it is engraved on their 5-cent euro piece.

          

        Overall, Italians are famous for their accent, fashion, opera, culture, and definitely their food! They are known for their world-famous Italian chefs, sauces, pastas, pizzas, and more. The dinner table is never empty and if you pass any authentic Italian bakery, you can smell the sweet scent of fresh baked goods.  Many great artists and sophisticated people have had Italian origins, me included. One key person that has Italian roots is Julius Caesar. He was a well-respected Roman soldier during that time period. Italy is a cultured country and is a refined place to visit.

    

        I chose Italy because I desired to learn more about my Italian heritage and get a feel for what I can expect when I study abroad after college in Europe. I plan on visiting this beautiful country and enjoying every aspect of it. It’s proved to be a marvelous vacation spot that hold a lot of history and artistic values. I’ve learned about the culture, famous monuments, and basic facts about the country of Italy. There is not a more fabulous place south of Switzerland!