ItalyItaly

The Italian flag is white, green, and red. The The Italian flag is white, green, and red. The green is always by the flagpole.green is always by the flagpole.

There are two versions of the meaning of these There are two versions of the meaning of these colors. colors.

1.1. Green = hope, White = faith, and Red = Green = hope, White = faith, and Red = charitycharity

2.2. Green = the Italian landscape, White = the Green = the Italian landscape, White = the snow of the Alps, Red = the blood of the snow of the Alps, Red = the blood of the Italian people.Italian people.

Italy does not have a king or queen. The Italy does not have a king or queen. The head of the country is called the president. head of the country is called the president. The people choose their own leaders The people choose their own leaders similar to the United States of America. similar to the United States of America.

U.S.A president George W. Bush greets Italian president Carlo Ciampi on April 7, 2005.

Italy is a country located on the continent of Europe.

It is a boot-shaped peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea. A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides but is still connected to the mainland.

The counties that border Italy are France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.

Rome is the capital of Italy. It is Rome is the capital of Italy. It is famous for its ancient fountains, famous for its ancient fountains, statues, and monuments. statues, and monuments.

One of the One of the most famous most famous monuments in monuments in Rome is the Rome is the Colosseum. Colosseum.

Romans Romans watched watched gladiators fight gladiators fight wild animals in wild animals in this stadium.this stadium.

In the center of Rome is a separate In the center of Rome is a separate city called The Vatican City. This is city called The Vatican City. This is the home of the Pope, the head of the home of the Pope, the head of

the world’s Roman Catholic religion. the world’s Roman Catholic religion.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world. It is very famous. Next to it is the Sistine Chapel where an artist named Michelangelo painted the ceiling. He painted scenes from the Bible on the ceiling. It took him over four years to

complete!

Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. It is quiet now. But 2,000 volcanoes in the world. It is quiet now. But 2,000 years ago, the most amazing eruption took place years ago, the most amazing eruption took place

and destroyed the city of Pompeii. and destroyed the city of Pompeii.

The city was completely buried in volcanic ash and mud, killing the entire population of Pompeii and the nearby city of Herculaneum. .

The city was never rebuilt after the destruction. Today, you can visit the remains or ruins of the two towns.

One famous city in Italy is Venice. It is famous One famous city in Italy is Venice. It is famous because it does not have streets or automobiles. because it does not have streets or automobiles. The city is located on water. People travel only by The city is located on water. People travel only by boats or walking. The buildings stand on posts in boats or walking. The buildings stand on posts in the mud.the mud.

Italian Food is Delicious!Italian Food is Delicious!

Italian foods are famous around the world. Italian foods are famous around the world. Pizza was first made in Naples, Italy. Pizza Pizza was first made in Naples, Italy. Pizza

means means “pie”“pie” in Italian. in Italian.

Another Italian food is pasta, such as spaghetti, Another Italian food is pasta, such as spaghetti, and risotto, a creamy rice dish. and risotto, a creamy rice dish.

Italians eat one food at a time during a Italians eat one food at a time during a meal. First comes the pasta or rice with meal. First comes the pasta or rice with fresh crusty bread. Then comes meat or fresh crusty bread. Then comes meat or fish. A salad or vegetable comes third. fish. A salad or vegetable comes third.

Finally, the meal ends with fruit or cheese.Finally, the meal ends with fruit or cheese.

Italian ice cream and coffees are also famous. Ice Italian ice cream and coffees are also famous. Ice cream in Italy is called cream in Italy is called gelato.gelato.

The favorite sport in Italy is soccer. Italians The favorite sport in Italy is soccer. Italians often watch soccer games on Sunday often watch soccer games on Sunday

afternoons. Children collect pictures of soccer afternoons. Children collect pictures of soccer players. Italians also enjoys skiing, bicycle players. Italians also enjoys skiing, bicycle

racing, and car racing. racing, and car racing.

Italy has competed in all the modern Italy has competed in all the modern Olympic games, except in 1904 Summer Olympic games, except in 1904 Summer

Olympics. They have won 494 medals at the Olympics. They have won 494 medals at the Summer Olympic Games. They have won Summer Olympic Games. They have won more gold metals than any other country, more gold metals than any other country, except for the USA and the Soviet Union.except for the USA and the Soviet Union.