Italy Facts

Here are some interesting and less known facts that you might not know about Italy. Check them out, and share them with your classmates!

• The name Italy comes from the word italia, meaning “calf land”.

• The country looks like a high heeled boot in shape!

• The official name of Italy is the Italian Republic.
  

  The Leaning Tower of Pisa was built in 1173 and began to lean soon after, probably due to a poorly laid foundation.

• Italy is one of the most crowded nations in Europe.

• No other country in Europe has as many volcanoes as Italy.

• The capital of Italy is Rome (also known as the Eternal City) and is almost 3,000 years old.

• The longest river in Italy is the Po.

• Venice, Italy, is one of the world’s most beautiful and unusual cities.

• Vatican City is the only nation in the world that can lock its own gates at night.

• No one knows when the pizza was invented, but the people of Naples made it popular.

• Parma in Italy is where the Parmesan cheese originated.

• The thermometer is an Italian invention.

• The Espresso was invented by an Italian who did so to reduce breaks.

• The world’s first operas were composed in Italy at the end of the sixteenth century.

• The average Italian consumes 26 gallons of wine a year.

• Everyday 3,000€ gets tossed into the Trevi Fountain.

• Soccer is Italy’s most popular sport, and the famous San Siro Stadium in Milan holds 85,000 people.

• In 1454, a real human chess duel was held to decide who would win the hand of a beautiful girl in Marostica in Italy.

• Mussolini renamed Mickey Mouse as Topolino, Donald duck as Paperino, Goofy as Pippo.

• Italian people are very superstitious, considering the fact that they have 150,000 officially registered magicians.

• Italy holds the Guiness record for having the most elevators.

• Italy has more famous fashion designers than any other country.

• Italy is famous for its sports cars like Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Lamborghini.

Are you interested how the Italian flag looks alike? Find out, here! Also check the map of Europe.