Updated July 29, 2019

Fun Facts about Italy

Read more about Travel Rewards

Family is one of the most important things to Italians despite the myth that Italians love their food. Family and food go hand-in-hand in the Italian culture, which is why it is such a close-knit culture with a lot to explore.

Keep reading to learn more about Italy and its incredible culture.

Basic Facts About Italy

What is the population of Italy?
Italy has a population of 62.2 million people. This makes it the 23rd largest country in the world.

What are the colors of the Italian flag?
The Italian flag has three equal-sized vertical sections that are green, white, and red, respectively. The colors red and white are symbolic of Milan and the green is symbolic of the uniform color of the Milanese civil guard.

What type of government does Italy have?
Italy is a Parliamentary Republic. Italy has executive, judicial, and legislative branches as well as a president and a prime minister.

Italian Culture and Beliefs

What is italian culture like?
At the center of Italian culture is family. Unlike many other countries, Italians think of their extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) as a part of their immediate family. Kids grow up remaining very close to their families, and many live at home until they are 30 years old. When they get married, they bring in their spouses and children as a part of the "network."

What is the main religion in Italy?
More than 80% of Italians are Roman Catholic, which makes sense since the head of Catholicism, the pope, is in Vatican City, which is located right in the heart of Italy, in Rome.

What is the most important tradition in Italy?
Food is a very important part of Italian culture. In fact, most family gatherings are centered around food. Each region has its own version of each food, including pizza and pasta, the two most common Italian foods. Some areas, however, focus on fish, pork, cheese, potatoes, and rice. No matter where a person in Italy is from, though, food is the center of most celebrations, and the host prepares days in advance of any dinners or celebrations.

What language do Italians speak?
The official language in Italy is Italian, but there are hundreds of dialects of the language. In the northern parts of Italy, some people do speak German and French, but Italian is taught in the schools and used by the government officials.

What are the Italian beliefs?
We've already discussed the importance of family in the Italian culture. However, Italians view the elderly as superior. When younger generations greet the elderly, it should always be by proper title first. Italians are also big on greetings. They greet family members (after properly addressing them) with a hug and kiss, and they always shake a stranger's hand.

Living in Italy

What are the most famous attractions in Italy?
Italy has many attractions that bring millions of visitors each year, but the most famous are the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.

What is the Italian currency?
The Italian currency is the euro. Today, 1 euro is equal to $1.15 in US dollars.

What is the typical food of Italy?
Historically, Italians feasted on a large lunch, sometimes taking up to 2 hours to eat, and then consuming a light dinner. Today, the dynamic is slowly changing. Italians tend to have the larger meal at dinnertime and forgoing the "siesta," or nap, after the large lunch they used to serve.

You'll find the "heavier meals" in the southern regions of Italy and the lighter fare in the northern regions. The typical "Italian" food that we know today includes pasta, pizza, and lasagna. Italy is also famous for seafood, meat (including pork and veal), and vegetables. A traditional Italian dinner today can consist of 10 courses, starting with 2 courses of appetizers, followed by a pasta course, and then a meat course. Italians then eat a salad course, fruit/cheese course, dessert, and finally coffee.

What is the typical Italian diet like?
The traditional Italian meal in America is nothing like what they actually consume in Italy. Because of their numerous courses, Italians eat a much smaller portion of things like pizza and pasta. They are more of an appetizer portion, as their main meal consists of seafood and lean meats. Italians only have the 10-course meal when entertaining or with family, which is typically on Sundays. Otherwise, their diet is rather light.

Was pizza invented in Italy?
Pizza originated in Naples during the 18th century as a "poor man's meal." It wasn't until Queen Margherita tasted her first slice of pizza (dough with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil) that it became popular throughout Italy. This is also how margherita pizza got its name.

What do people mostly wear in Italy?
Italy is the mecca of the fashion world, so it's no surprise that they dress less casually than Americans. While Italian women don't walk around only in dresses, they don't wear jeans or leggings like we do here. Instead, they wear fashionable trousers and typically wear layers on top. A nice blouse is often layered with a chic blazer during the cooler months. Men also dress up with nice trousers (never baggy), leather shoes, and layered shirts/jackets.

What is education like in Italy?
Italian children attend school in three stages: primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary school. Primary school starts at age 6 and lasts for five years. Lower secondary school is like middle school and lasts three years, and then there is upper secondary school for those who want to continue.

What Makes Italy Famous?

What is Italy famous for?
Italy is known for its incredible culture, including art, architecture, opera, and fashion. From the Colosseum to the Sistine Chapel, visitors can revel in Italy's amazing art and architecture. Many operas originated in Italy and are sung in Italian, and many famous fashion designers, including Armani and Versace, are from Italy.

Who is the most famous Italian?
While there are many famous people from Italy, including Christopher Columbus and Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo is known as the most famous artist in Italy.

What is the most popular sport in Italy?
Football (soccer in the US) is the most popular sport in Italy. Soccer started in Italy in 1898 and has continued to rise in popularity into today.

How many world cups has Italy won?
Italy has won four World Cups, with the latest win in 2006 when Italy won over France.

What is the second most popular sport in Italy?
Next to soccer, Italians are passionate about bicycling. Italy itself hosts a variety of cycling events, and many Italians have won the World Cycling Championship.

Italian Holidays

What do Italians eat at Christmas?
On Christmas Eve, Italians celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The fish include clams, shrimp, cod, and calamari in various forms.

What is the Italian epiphany?
The Feast of the Epiphany is on January 6th, 12 days after Christmas. It's thought to be the day that the Wise Men visited Baby Jesus.

Do talians celebrate Santa Claus?
While some Italians celebrate the traditional Santa Claus, most celebrate La Bafana. While she is known as a "witch," she is a good witch who brings treats to children, much like St. Nicholas does in the United States. If kids receive treats on January 6th, the Epiphany, they were good; bad kids may receive a lump of coal.

Write to Kim P at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

Read Next:


Travel Credit Cards

Don't overpay on travel. Sign up to get our free email course on miles and points.
Discount Travel Websites

Discount Travel Sites

Save money on your next vacation. These top travel websites offer deep discounts and worthwhile deals on airfare, hotel rooms, and car rentals.

About CreditDonkey
CreditDonkey is a credit card comparison website. We publish data-driven analysis to help you save money & make savvy decisions.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

†Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditDonkey receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CreditDonkey does not include all companies or all offers that may be available in the marketplace.

*See the card issuer's online application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However, all information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button you can review the terms and conditions on the card issuer's website.

CreditDonkey does not know your individual circumstances and provides information for general educational purposes only. CreditDonkey is not a substitute for, and should not be used as, professional legal, credit or financial advice. You should consult your own professional advisors for such advice.

About Us | Reviews | Deals | Tips | Privacy | Do Not Sell My Info | Terms | Contact Us
(888) 483-4925 | 680 East Colorado Blvd, 2nd Floor | Pasadena, CA 91101
© 2024 CreditDonkey Inc. All Rights Reserved.