country profile
Country Profile:
ITALY
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WHAT'S UP WITH?
Geography:
Italy is a country located in the south part of Europe. It has a few small islands located off its shore. The country has a long coastline which is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. The countries that border Italy are France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The size of Italy is approximately 301,336 square km which can fit around 26 times in Australia. Italy’s climate is usually Mediterranean which is a variety of subtropical climate. The population of the Italy is about 61 million people and the capital city is Rome.
History:
Italy was ruled by France, Spain, Austria and other foreign countries before it became one united country in 1870s. It developed rich essences of culture from those countries and encrypted in its own. During the renaissance period Italy increased in creativity and through that many worldwide famous artists, scholars, poets, writers, philosophers and etc were born like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante Alighieri. The contribution made by those people shaped Italy’s history into something of great magnificence. During the time of when the Roman Empire ruled Italy, there are many historical monuments still left in Italy from that period. There are popular sites people come to witness everyday mainly for its elaborate beauty.
Economy:
The currency in Italy is Euros like the other countries in Europe. One Australian dollar is equivalent to sixty-nine cents in Italy. Italy is a country with a very high per capita GDP which influences the high standard of living of the Italians. Also Italy is well-known for international imports and exports. The main exports include machinery, metals, vehicles, clothing, wine and food. The main imports would include minerals, energy products, transport equipment, textiles and clothing. Politics is considered very important to the Italians, they would either show their support or dislike through street performances. During World War II, Italy’s economy was in a disastrous state but after the war recovered and became stable.
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TRUE OR FALSE:
The stereotypes in Italy include Italians love pasta which is true, Italy's economy is based on art which is false, Italians must tackle daily problems of the mafia which is false, Italians live for soccer which is true and Italians are Catholic which is true. Pasta is very affordable in Italy and is produced widely so there is huge majority of people who love pasta. Italians live for soccer because majority love watching and playing soccer. Italians are Catholic is true because around 90% are. Other stereotypes include pizza was invented in Italy which is true, Italians have big families which is false, Italians don't speak English which is false, North Italy is richer than South Italy which is true and men look like Mario, short with a mustache which is false. Pizza was invented in Italy and Italy came up with the name 'pizza'. North Italy is richer than South Italy due to inequality reasons.
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HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS: OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET PEOPLE
There are many places you can meet people in Italy. Italy, being culturally diverse, can help you get along with the people without any difficulties. Some places to meet people include: shopping at local markets, eating locally, attending local meetings, home-stays, using public transport, walking tours, public meetings, religious ceremonies and cultural performances. In Italy you can meet new people particularly anywhere and make friends. To teach you the basis of Italy and meet new people fast its best to hire an English speaking tour guide because they know Italy so well and can show you around the place, help you interact, make new friends and allow you to enjoy you time, especially if you're going alone. One of the famous events Italy is known for is the Masquerade Ball, where you go dressed up and meet other people who adore fashion in Venice, Italy. Italy is well-known for its exorbitant beauty especially cities like Venice. Not only that but tourists come to watch famous operas, buy fashionable brands, visit historical sites, taste unique food and etc. that Italy is also known for.
To say hello in Italian its, "Ciao".
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CULTCHA VULTCHA: WHAT TO EXPECT
When going to a country to visit you have note relevant skills and manners for communication. Countries in most cases differ a lot in intercultural communication which you have to mind. Italy may be considered very easy to interact and make friends, and that is true but just be aware of key roles of communication. In Italy the people are very lively, they love to talk, if you talk to an Italian for the first time try to keep to topics that say complimentary remarks to the country and avoid topics such as politics. Italians communicate with gestures, facial expression and verbal communication in order to express their ideas. Some Italians may use physical contact when communicating and are far less conscious of personal space, usually men, to show genuine understanding. Similarly, to Australians who respect the idea of personal space only sometimes. Australians don’t use a lot of facial expressions and gestures when talking when compared to Italians. If you are at a distance when communicating to an Italian they might find it very offensive and that you’re being very cold. Eye contact made with strangers is not so common in Italy. Italy also regards public display of affection a norm, with a male and female. Unlike Australians who are quite private when it comes to displaying affections.
Italy does come with norms and customs which have to be followed examples appropriate dress and etiquette for greetings, meals, gift-giving, visiting places of worship, shopping, important cultural events. The appropriate dress in Italy would have to be anything fashionable regardless of their age or gender. Italians pay particular attention to dress and grooming. Greeting and saying goodbye in Italy are both done by one kiss on each cheek. Etiquettes for meals are that remain standing until you’re invited to sit down, the fork should be held in your left hand while the knife in your right and hands should not remain on you laps during meals, however, do not rest elbows on the table either. When gift giving, Italians usually open the gift immediately after it’s received. Vintage wine is considered one of the best gifts to an Italian. Etiquette when visiting places of worship in Italy would be being respectful, quiet and following the rules and regulation at the site. Shopping etiquettes generally are that you are not allowed to touch fresh produce in markets and displays in clothing stores. In stores the sales assistance is usually reserved and quite but keeps an eye on the customers.
The bases of cultural knowledge and skills required to visit Italy is very little. Maybe learning a bit of Italian so you can interact with the people easily, knowing about the history so you appreciate the historical monuments, do research and gain good communicating skills in order for you to be prepared to go to Italy. Other cultural knowledge you need to be aware of the traditional rules withheld by the Italians.
When going to a country to visit you have note relevant skills and manners for communication. Countries in most cases differ a lot in intercultural communication which you have to mind. Italy may be considered very easy to interact and make friends, and that is true but just be aware of key roles of communication. In Italy the people are very lively, they love to talk, if you talk to an Italian for the first time try to keep to topics that say complimentary remarks to the country and avoid topics such as politics. Italians communicate with gestures, facial expression and verbal communication in order to express their ideas. Some Italians may use physical contact when communicating and are far less conscious of personal space, usually men, to show genuine understanding. Similarly, to Australians who respect the idea of personal space only sometimes. Australians don’t use a lot of facial expressions and gestures when talking when compared to Italians. If you are at a distance when communicating to an Italian they might find it very offensive and that you’re being very cold. Eye contact made with strangers is not so common in Italy. Italy also regards public display of affection a norm, with a male and female. Unlike Australians who are quite private when it comes to displaying affections.
Italy does come with norms and customs which have to be followed examples appropriate dress and etiquette for greetings, meals, gift-giving, visiting places of worship, shopping, important cultural events. The appropriate dress in Italy would have to be anything fashionable regardless of their age or gender. Italians pay particular attention to dress and grooming. Greeting and saying goodbye in Italy are both done by one kiss on each cheek. Etiquettes for meals are that remain standing until you’re invited to sit down, the fork should be held in your left hand while the knife in your right and hands should not remain on you laps during meals, however, do not rest elbows on the table either. When gift giving, Italians usually open the gift immediately after it’s received. Vintage wine is considered one of the best gifts to an Italian. Etiquette when visiting places of worship in Italy would be being respectful, quiet and following the rules and regulation at the site. Shopping etiquettes generally are that you are not allowed to touch fresh produce in markets and displays in clothing stores. In stores the sales assistance is usually reserved and quite but keeps an eye on the customers.
The bases of cultural knowledge and skills required to visit Italy is very little. Maybe learning a bit of Italian so you can interact with the people easily, knowing about the history so you appreciate the historical monuments, do research and gain good communicating skills in order for you to be prepared to go to Italy. Other cultural knowledge you need to be aware of the traditional rules withheld by the Italians.
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YOU HAVE TO GO TO...
The places you have to go to in Italy would be The Roman Coliseum in Rome, Italy which is a historical site where the gladiators fought. The next place you have to go to is the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy which is a waterway where you can travel in a gondola. Leaning Tower of Pisa is a clock tower located in Pisa, Italy which is renowned for its tilt is a have to go site. The Florence Cathedral in Florence, Italy is place to go for its amazing architecture and history. Another place to go would be UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Etna which is an active volcano in Sicily, Italy. Other places to visit in Italy would include Trevi Fountain in Italy, Uffzi Gallery in Florence, Amalfi Coast in Salerno, Doge’s Palace in Venice, Boboli Gardens in Florence and Tearto all Scala in Milan.
The tourism will impact the local population positively in ways such as if they own a shop they would make more money and increase customer purchases. The positive aspect to the environment would be that the government makes a lot of money from tourism so they can use the money for repairing environmental damage so it would be in great shape. Negative impact of tourism would be that the increase number of visitors from foreign countries who might damage the site, making Italy’s economy to lose ambiguous amounts of money which would lead to locals who own shops to lose business and locals in general to pay more tax. The negative impact on the environment is that the government is going to bring in more infrastructure and car parks to accommodate and ease travels for tourist leading locals to lose money and causes environmental changes and damages. Tourism can also cause problems such as loss of culture and culture clashes to locals.
The places you have to go to in Italy would be The Roman Coliseum in Rome, Italy which is a historical site where the gladiators fought. The next place you have to go to is the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy which is a waterway where you can travel in a gondola. Leaning Tower of Pisa is a clock tower located in Pisa, Italy which is renowned for its tilt is a have to go site. The Florence Cathedral in Florence, Italy is place to go for its amazing architecture and history. Another place to go would be UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Etna which is an active volcano in Sicily, Italy. Other places to visit in Italy would include Trevi Fountain in Italy, Uffzi Gallery in Florence, Amalfi Coast in Salerno, Doge’s Palace in Venice, Boboli Gardens in Florence and Tearto all Scala in Milan.
The tourism will impact the local population positively in ways such as if they own a shop they would make more money and increase customer purchases. The positive aspect to the environment would be that the government makes a lot of money from tourism so they can use the money for repairing environmental damage so it would be in great shape. Negative impact of tourism would be that the increase number of visitors from foreign countries who might damage the site, making Italy’s economy to lose ambiguous amounts of money which would lead to locals who own shops to lose business and locals in general to pay more tax. The negative impact on the environment is that the government is going to bring in more infrastructure and car parks to accommodate and ease travels for tourist leading locals to lose money and causes environmental changes and damages. Tourism can also cause problems such as loss of culture and culture clashes to locals.
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UP FOR THE CHALLENGE: WHAT WILL BE THE HARDEST PART(S) ABOUT YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE.
At first the hardest parts will be the language barrier, culture clash, time difference and adjusting to their way of life. Italians speak in Italian which may cause issues to most tourists who come to visit so you have to prepared for the trip by booking a tour guide who happens to know English. Culture clashes may be an issue so come open minded and accepting to their culture. Italians way of life may be very different when compared to yours so know that you have to committed to change your life even a bit to adjust. Time difference is one of the hardest parts to overcome at the start by most of the tourist because of the big time difference between Australia and the European countries. Also in Italy be prepared with essentials such as medical kit, just in case of any mishaps. At the end the rewarding aspects are that you meet new people and friends that you have shared and enjoyed so much of your time with. After that you have to leave them and that would be the most challenging part whole of the trip but the trip is so worth it for the experiences.
By: Niha Anzar