Fast Facts
Continent: Europe
Area: 301,338 km2
Capital: Rome
Population: 60,813,326 (2011)
Official Languages: Italian
Calling Code: 39
Type Of Government: Unitary, parliamentary, constitutional, republic
Continent: Europe
Area: 301,338 km2
Capital: Rome
Population: 60,813,326 (2011)
Official Languages: Italian
Calling Code: 39
Type Of Government: Unitary, parliamentary, constitutional, republic
Fun Facts About Italy
- The official name of Italy is Italian Republic.
- Rome is the capital of Italy and the country has Republic government.
- Archimedes, one of the most famous mathematicians in the world, was born in Sicily.
- Tomato sauce was never added to Italian pasta until the 18th century.
- Did you know that the Arabs introduced dry pasta to the Italians? Before that, all the pasta was freshly made on an everyday basis.
- The language used in music comes from Italian. ‘Scala’ means scale and a few other musical notations such as ‘presto’ and ‘vivace’ are unique to this country.
- Italy is among the world leaders of haute couture.
- The most common Italian surname is ‘Russo’.
- Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare's most popular play, was set in the backdrop of Verona, Italy.
- Amongst the famous personalities that have been born in Italy are Niccolo Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo Galilei, Antonio Stradivari, Donatello, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Bernini, etc.
- Pompeii city of Italy was completely buried after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
- Bubonic Plague killed one-third of the Italian population in the 14th century.
- Italy was the cradle of first, Etruscan and then, Roman civilizations. It also served as the center of the first and largest empire in Europe, North Africa and the near East.
- Approximately 85% of the population of Italy is Roman Catholics.
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the most visited structures around the world, was built in 1173.
- Basilica of Saint Peter, situated in Rome, is the largest Christian edifice in the world.
- Presently, Italy boasts of the lowest birthrate and fertility rate in the world.
- As per UNICEF (2007 report on child well-being in rich countries), Italy is the best country for family and peer relationships.
- The average consumption of pasta in Italy is 25 kg per person per year.
- Viol, violin, cello, piano, mechanical clock, barometer, thermometer, optical glasses and telephone were invented by Italians.
- Italy has the lowest per capita energy consumption in Europe.
- Parmesan, gorgonzola, provolone and ricotta cheese, all originate from Italy.