3. Roman Catholicism is the largest religion in Italy, although the Catholic Church is now no longer officially the State Religion . Most Italians describe themselves as Roman – Catholic, although only 36.8% actually are. Most Italians have a belief in God, of some form of spiritual life force. According to a survey that took place in 2005, 74% of Italian citizens responded that they ‘believe in God’, and 16% answered that they ‘believed in some sort of life force/spirit’ and 6% answered that they’believed in no kind of spirit, god or life force’. The Santa Maria fel Flore cathedral in Florence, which has the biggest brick dome in the world and is considered a masterpiece of Italian architecture.
7. In 1848, Venice took up arms to fight for their freedom from the Hapsburg Empire. In 1860, Guiseppe Garibaldi and his army gained the freedom of Italy, and Venice became part of Italy in 1866.
8. In 1348, Venice was badly hit by the Bubonic Plague, which was responsible for decimating the population, but Venice was able to pull itself up and became a leading ocean faring power in the Mediterranean Sea.
11. The Carnival Of Venice The Carnival Of Venice is an annually held festival that starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The festival started as a time for celebration and expression throughout the ranks of society. It was originally created to allow the people in the lower ranks of society to mingle with people with a higher social status.
12. Gondolas The gondola originated in Venice, Italy – a city on a series of six islands at the edge of the Adriatic Sea. The “streets” of Venice are actually waterways for boat traffic, making this city one of the most interesting in the world Of all the differing watercrafts in Venice, the gondola is the most well-known. It is an ancient row boat, evolving over the last 1,000 years to become the sleek, graceful shape you see today. Its unique, asymmetrical design allows just one oarsman to navigate the narrow Venetian waterways using a single oar.
14. Chinese and Indian restaurants have a token presence, but really, Venice is a place to go for excellent seafood and good Northern Italian cooking. Once the crowded capital of the Adriatic, the city's population has been in decline for centuries. The local food industry is the product of ongoing local efforts, some of which are reviving, but still a minority among the flood of the tourist-driven restaurants. The transient population of Venice numbers in the millions every year, and are to credit for the thriving of the city's best restaurants. Cichetti, the city's traditional tapas-like bar snacks, are regaining in popularity, but many local culinary craftsmen have gone out of business in the past few years, including most of the fresh pasta makers.
16. Venetian architecture and urban planning are also a characteristic feature of local culture. Splendid imposing palaces, cathedrals and churches reveal the high level of development of Venice’s economy and society during different historical periods, particularly the Renaissance. These cultural monuments of extraordinary significance symbolise Venice worldwide, as the countless canals and waterways are widely recognised as one of the most miraculous facilities in urban planning – ever. They give the ‘City of Water’ its unmatchable romantic and glamorous ambience. The charm of Venetian culture is best experienced during the marvelous festivals and carnivals that are the highlight of local cultural life. The most attractive event is undoubtedly the Carnival: a splendid celebration that makes both locals and tourists forget everything else within the eight days in January (or February) each year when this colourful event is carried out.
18. Pre-School – Age 3-6 Primary School: Year 1 - Age 6-7 Year 2 – Age 7-8 Year 3 – Age 8-9 Year 4 – Age 9-10 Year 5 – Age 10-11 Secondary School (1st Grade): Year 1 – Age 11-12 Year 2 – Age 12-13 Year 3 – Age 13-14 Secondary School (2nd Grade): Year 1 – Age 14-15 Year 2 – Age 15-16 Year 3 – Age 16-17 Year 4 – Age 17-18 Year 5 – Age 18-19 University: Bachelor’s Degree: Year 1 – Age 19-20 Year 2 – Age 20-21 Year 3 – Age 21-22 Year 4 – Age 22-23 (Only for sciences of primary education, necessary for teaching in nursery or primary schools.) Master’s Degree: Year 4 – Age 22-23 Year 5 – Age 23-24 Master’s Degree: (2) Year 1 – Age 19-20 Year 2 – Age 20-21 Year 3 – Age 21-22 Year 4 – Age 22-23 Year 5 – Age 23-24 (Only for being a Chemist) In Italy, education is compulsory from the age of six to fifteen or sixteen and is divided into five stages: Kindergarten (scuolamaterna), Elementary School (scuolaelementare), Middle School (scuola media), High School (scuolasuperiore) and University (universita).
20. The rising waterIn the fall, especially in October and November, it very often happens that the tide rises and the water overflows the banks of the canals, flooding the city: the foundations, the alleyways, the fields, the ground floor of the houses, the churches and the shops. The rising water is a problem for the Venetians but it is an unusual, exciting experience for tourists as it is a unique event. Venice was home to the world’s first factory: The Arsenal, founded in 1104, was a shipyard that apparently produced one warship nearly every day. There are 177 canals in Venice. There are NO cars in Venice, the only transport available in Venice are Boats and Bikes. There are an estimated 450 souvenir shops in Venice, with half the population involved in the tourist industry to some degree. Venice is sinking. The mean level of the land has lowered while the sea levels have risen. Venice really is built on water. The people of the Veneto region built the city on a salt marshland at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea. The “official” date of the birth of Venice is the 25 March 421.
22. Language: Italian President: Giorgio Napolitano Prime Minister: Silvio Berlusconi Currency: Euro’s (Previously Lira) Capital City: Rome Land Area: 116,305 sq mi Population (2010): approx. 58,090,681 Flag:
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