*Image sources on sources tab
Additional Sources:1. http://www.aur.edu/american-university-rome/student-life/housing/italian-culture/
-This is a decent source because it comes from the American University of Rome.
2. http://italian.about.com/od/italianculture/Culture_and_Traditions.htm
-A good source because About.com is very reliable.
-This is a decent source because it comes from the American University of Rome.
2. http://italian.about.com/od/italianculture/Culture_and_Traditions.htm
-A good source because About.com is very reliable.
Image source: http://www.vidiani.com/?p=15891
Statistics
Median Age (People & Society): 43.8 years
Population Growth Rate (People & Society): 0.38%
Health Expenditures (People & Society): 5.1% of GDP
Obesity (People & Society): 9.8%
Education Expenditures (People & Society): 4.3% of GDP
Unemployment Rate (Economy): 10.9%
Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/it.html
Population Growth Rate (People & Society): 0.38%
Health Expenditures (People & Society): 5.1% of GDP
Obesity (People & Society): 9.8%
Education Expenditures (People & Society): 4.3% of GDP
Unemployment Rate (Economy): 10.9%
Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/it.html
In this map you can see how the total population of Italy has changed over a period of 200 years. As you can see, Italy did not grow as much and it took a long time to get to the population it is now. Every year it seemed like only a few people were added to the country because by the chart we can tell that the population did not change by much over the years.
This chart shows the employment rate for ages 15 and older. As you can see, it is more likely for you to be hired in your late thirties and early forties than when you are a teenager. The aged employment rate hardly changes but it did lower in the beginning of 2000 and then in 2005 it went up again.
This chart shows the percentage of the ratio of young literate females to males. As you can see by the chart, the percentage ratio is really high. There is approximately 100% of literate young women per males, this meaning that there actually more women who can read and write than there is males. Italy has mostly women as the ones who continue school and can be more educated than the men.
The Status of Women in Italy
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Citations:
Salamon, F. (2012). Countries and their cultures. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/Ge-It/Italy.html Hudson, V. M., Caprioli, M., Emmett, C., McDermott, R., Stearmer, S. M., & Ballif-Spanvill, B. (2010).womanstatz.org. Retrieved from http://womanstats.org/mapEntrez.htm http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/articles/italy/Women-s-Rights-in-Italy/314 http://www.oecd.org/italy/economicsurveyofitaly2005economicperformanceandpolicychallenges.htm (education graph image) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303395604577431832161133916.html (women representation) |
Religion in Italy
Italy does not have several religions but mainly has one, Catholicism, which is a branch from the Christian religion (Kwintessential, 2010). Before Italians became full Christians of the Catholic Church, they worshiped gods and goddesses in the ancient Rome (McGee, 2012). Gods and goddesses were seen as rulers and had a role in government. Due to the gods and goddesses coming from ancient Rome, it can be said that Italy’s religions first started to appear or emerge in the ancient Rome. Therefore in Rome is where the Vatican is located and where the Pope resides, who is the head of all churches (McGee, 2012). There are several other Christian religions that are part of Italy, some of the being Jehovah Witnesses, Protestants, and some Muslims (Kwintessential, 2010).
Religion has had an impact in Italy’s social development and culture mainly due to its great belief in Catholicism and having the Catholic city in their country, the Vatican. Abortion and divorce have had a major impact on marriage and family life due to the beliefs the Catholic Church has (Advameg Inc., 2011). It has also played a major role in education since most of the schools in Italy are have Catholic teachers that are paid by state to teach an hour of religion in the public schools (“Religion,” 2005). Italy’s politics are sometimes influenced by the Catholic Church along with governmental issues (Elshtain, 2000). Italians’ lives are majorly influenced by Catholicism even when they are not that devoted to the religion because Italy is majorly known for its great belief in the Roman Catholic Church.
Religions consist of many things and laws that have to be followed by its people. Some religions have places that are sacred to them and have to be respected. Since most of Italy’s population is Catholic, their sacred place would be the church. The Vatican is also sacred because it is where the head of the churches lives. Since there are also some Muslims in Italy, their sacred places are different than those of the Catholic. Muslims’ sacred place is the Mosques which are their temples of prayer and where they go to have all their rituals. Mecca would also be their sacred place since that is the place where their religion comes from.
In some places it is common for the religion to have some say in their governmental issues and in politics. Indeed Italy is one of the places where religion is involved with the government. The Catholic Church’s status was determined by the Italian government when its power ended in 1870 (“Religion,” 2005). In 1929 there was a pact that was signed saying that the Vatican is a state of its own, meaning it is “recognized as an independent, sovereign entity” (“Religion,” 2005). Also, the Catholic Church has had an influence involving legislators on matters of public policy (“Religion,” 2005).
Religion has had an impact in Italy’s social development and culture mainly due to its great belief in Catholicism and having the Catholic city in their country, the Vatican. Abortion and divorce have had a major impact on marriage and family life due to the beliefs the Catholic Church has (Advameg Inc., 2011). It has also played a major role in education since most of the schools in Italy are have Catholic teachers that are paid by state to teach an hour of religion in the public schools (“Religion,” 2005). Italy’s politics are sometimes influenced by the Catholic Church along with governmental issues (Elshtain, 2000). Italians’ lives are majorly influenced by Catholicism even when they are not that devoted to the religion because Italy is majorly known for its great belief in the Roman Catholic Church.
Religions consist of many things and laws that have to be followed by its people. Some religions have places that are sacred to them and have to be respected. Since most of Italy’s population is Catholic, their sacred place would be the church. The Vatican is also sacred because it is where the head of the churches lives. Since there are also some Muslims in Italy, their sacred places are different than those of the Catholic. Muslims’ sacred place is the Mosques which are their temples of prayer and where they go to have all their rituals. Mecca would also be their sacred place since that is the place where their religion comes from.
In some places it is common for the religion to have some say in their governmental issues and in politics. Indeed Italy is one of the places where religion is involved with the government. The Catholic Church’s status was determined by the Italian government when its power ended in 1870 (“Religion,” 2005). In 1929 there was a pact that was signed saying that the Vatican is a state of its own, meaning it is “recognized as an independent, sovereign entity” (“Religion,” 2005). Also, the Catholic Church has had an influence involving legislators on matters of public policy (“Religion,” 2005).
Food Culture
Classic Italian Lasagna
Time: 1 hr 15 minutes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
6 servings
Ingredients:
Bechamel Sauce:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for the lasagna
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk at room temperature
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, recipe follows
Salt and white pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground chuck beef
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
3 large eggs
1 pound lasagna sheets, cooked al dente
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bechamel sauce:
In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
Simple Tomato Sauce:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional
In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.
About the food:
Italians take their meal times seriously and it is the one time that they get to relax and enjoy their time together and enjoy time with the family (Kwintessential, 2010). Italian families make huge meals where there are leftovers all the time due to the amount of food they make. It is said that the average meal time duration is about three hours long and the guests eat up to ten courses (Kwintessential, 2010). The recipes used for these grandiose meals have travelled down from generations and traditions that each family has (Paolo and Lucia). Also different dishes can be specifically found in certain parts of Italy only, for example the polenta is only found in the southern parts of Italy (Paolo and Lucia).
Italy gets its produce to make their delicious plates from its own country. Italy grows mostly grains, sugar beets, soybeans, and meat and dairy products in the northern part (Michigan State University). The southern part of Italy mostly grows the fruits and vegetables along with olive oil, wine, and durum wheat (Michigan State University).
Italy is really rich regarding its food and the produce it grows. It is known to have the best dishes and they are said to be healthy as well due to the Mediterranean diet. Wine is also a great part of Italy since they have long acres of grape vines that they grow and ferment to become rich wine.
Time: 1 hr 15 minutes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
6 servings
Ingredients:
Bechamel Sauce:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for the lasagna
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk at room temperature
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, recipe follows
Salt and white pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground chuck beef
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
3 large eggs
1 pound lasagna sheets, cooked al dente
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bechamel sauce:
In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
Simple Tomato Sauce:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional
In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.
About the food:
Italians take their meal times seriously and it is the one time that they get to relax and enjoy their time together and enjoy time with the family (Kwintessential, 2010). Italian families make huge meals where there are leftovers all the time due to the amount of food they make. It is said that the average meal time duration is about three hours long and the guests eat up to ten courses (Kwintessential, 2010). The recipes used for these grandiose meals have travelled down from generations and traditions that each family has (Paolo and Lucia). Also different dishes can be specifically found in certain parts of Italy only, for example the polenta is only found in the southern parts of Italy (Paolo and Lucia).
Italy gets its produce to make their delicious plates from its own country. Italy grows mostly grains, sugar beets, soybeans, and meat and dairy products in the northern part (Michigan State University). The southern part of Italy mostly grows the fruits and vegetables along with olive oil, wine, and durum wheat (Michigan State University).
Italy is really rich regarding its food and the produce it grows. It is known to have the best dishes and they are said to be healthy as well due to the Mediterranean diet. Wine is also a great part of Italy since they have long acres of grape vines that they grow and ferment to become rich wine.