Culture
Industry developed much later in Italy than in other countries in Europe. In the last 50 years industrial growth has been very rapid. Italy is now one of the seven richest nations in the world. The major religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism; Roman Catholicism takes up 90 percent of the population. While the other ten percent is made up of Protestants, Jews and Muslims. Italy is famous for some of the most famous structures in the world including the colosseum and the leaning tower of Pisa. Opera has its roots in Italy and many famous operas including “Aida” this was written in Italian and still performed in the native language. Italy is also home to many famous fashion houses such as Armani. Italian cuisine has influenced food culture around the world and is viewed as a form of art. Wine, cheese and pasta are an important part of Italian meals. Pasta comes in a wide range of shapes including penne and spaghetti. Family gatherings are often centred on food. Each region in Italy has its own spin on Italian food. For example, most of the foods that Americans view as Italian, such as spaghetti and pizza, come from central Italy. In the North of Italy, fish, potatoes, rice, sausages, pork and different types of cheeses are the most common ingredients. Pasta dishes with tomatoes are popular, as are many kinds of stuffed pasta, polenta and risotto. In the South, dishes are dominated by tomatoes, either served fresh or cooked into sauce, and also includes capers, peppers, olives and olive oil, garlic, artichokes, eggplant and ricotta cheese. |
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