COUNTRY OVERVIEW Provided by Wikipedia.com

Italy i/ˈɪtəli/ (Italian: Italia [iˈtaːlja]), officially the Italian Republic (Italian: Repubblica italiana, is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north, it borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia along the Alps. To the south, it consists of the entirety of the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia–the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea–and many other smaller islands. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within Italy, while Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. The territory of Italy covers some 301,338 km2 (116,347 sq mi) and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. With 60.8 million inhabitants, it is the fifth most populous country in Europe, and the 23rd most populous in the world.

Rome, the capital of Italy, has for centuries been a political and religious centre of Western civilization as the capital of the Roman Empire and site of the Holy See. After the decline of the Roman Empire, Italy endured numerous invasions by foreign peoples, from Germanic tribes such as the Lombards and Ostrogoths, to the Byzantines and later, the Normans, among others. Centuries later, Italy became the birthplace of Maritime republics and the Renaissance. Through much of its post-Roman history, Italy was fragmented into numerous city and regional states (such as the Republic of Venice and the Church State), but was unified in 1861.[8] In the late 19th century, through World War I, and to World War II, Italy possessed a colonial empire.[9]

Modern Italy is a democratic republic. It has been ranked as the world's 24th most-developed country[6] and its Quality-of-life Index has been ranked in the world's top ten in 2005.[10] Italy enjoys a very high standard of living, and has a high GDP per capita.[11][12] It is a founding member of what is now the European Union and part of the Euro-zone. Italy is also a member of the G8, G20 and NATO. It has the world's third-largest gold reserves, eighth-largest nominal GDP, tenth highest GDP (PPP)[13] and the sixth highest government budget in the world.[14]. Italy has the world's ninth-largest defense budget and shares NATO's nuclear weapons.

Italy plays a prominent role in European and global military, cultural and diplomatic affairs. The country's European political, social and economic influence make it a major regional power.[15][16] The country has a high public education level and is a highly globalized nation.

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LASTING IMPRESSIONS

Its been a long time coming but, I've finished my initial log of Ireland and I'm onto what may be my favorite adventure so far, Italia. And yes, I will admit, I am a bit biased. I grew up with immigrant grandparents and lived Italian customs and traditions for the majority of my childhood. Seeing where my family comes from was definitely something special and I know its something my father had always wanted to do. Its unfortunate that we couldn't do that but at least I could carry the torch back to the beginning for him. I am very proud of my heritage. Its Italian blood in my veins as far as I'm concerned.

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a

Not to be confused, is the fact that I'm an American first. Its a country that's a far cry from perfect but its the country I was born in. I have served and will continue to serve my country whether I am in military service or not. America is and will always be the greatest nation on the face of this earth.

On a lighter and quite humorous note, I am continuing in the traditions of Italian influence in America with my never ending promotion of Italian cuisine. La Gazzetta Italiana, (an established Italian journal) explains a bit of the history of Italian food in America.

Soldiers returning from Italy after World War II brought with them their desire for the foods of the war-torn nation. Enterprising immigrants opened restaurants providing Soldiers with the foods they had developed a craving for and introduced Soldiers’ families to spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, ravioli, lasagna, manicotti, brushetta, baked ziti, and pizza. Your welcome America....