Italy lies in southern Europe, surrounded on three sides by the Adriatic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Tyrrenian Sea and the Ligurian Sea. Two islands, Sardinia and Sicily, also belong to Italy.
The country is shaped a bit like a boot. It was first settled around 1200 B.C. Later, Greeks arrived in Italy, followed by Romans. The city of Rome was the center of the great Roman Empire.
Italy Facts For Kids
- Located in Southern Europe.
- The capital city is Rome.
- Birthplace of the Renaissance.
- Famous for pasta, pizza, and gelato.
- Home to the ancient Roman Empire.
- Contains Vatican City, the world’s smallest state.
- Venice is known for its canals.
- Uses Euro as its currency.
- Has a boot-shaped peninsula.
- Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous landmark.
Rome
Rome, the capital of Italy, is a city that provides an abundance of opportunities for children to delve into its rich history and culture. With a history stretching back over 2,000 years, Rome was the heart of the powerful Roman Empire and houses some of the world’s most renowned landmarks.
These include the Colosseum, a vast amphitheater that was host to gladiator battles, and the meticulously preserved Pantheon, an architectural marvel of ancient Rome. Besides its historical treasures, Rome is famed for its culinary delights, being the cradle of pizza and pasta.
Moreover, it uniquely encompasses the world’s smallest country, Vatican City, within its city boundaries. Through its historic sites, mouthwatering cuisine, and distinctive features, Rome offers a multitude of learning experiences for children in history, architecture, art, and gastronomy.
Pizza
Italy, renowned for its culinary excellence, is particularly famed for its creation of pizza, a food item adored by children across the globe. The inception of pizza traces back to the 19th century in Naples, Italy, where it was initially a staple for the less fortunate. However, its popularity soared when Raffaele Esposito, a local baker, crafted a unique pizza for Queen Margherita’s visit.
The pizza, adorned with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil symbolizing the hues of the Italian flag, came to be known as Margherita pizza. Today, authentic Italian pizza, revered as a national treasure, is renowned for its simplicity and freshness, baked in traditional wood-fired ovens, and is cherished by both young and old alike.
Colosseum
The Colosseum, widely recognized as the Flavian Amphitheatre, stands as an emblem of Italy’s rich history and architectural prowess, attracting the curiosity of young enthusiasts. Nestled in the vibrant cityscape of Rome, it holds the record as the largest amphitheater ever constructed.
With its origins tracing back to 70-80 AD, this monumental structure was a stage for a variety of public events including gladiatorial battles, public spectacles, and Classical mythology-based dramas, with a capacity to accommodate an astounding 50,000 to 80,000 spectators.
Today, the Colosseum continues to awe visitors with its testament to the Roman Empire’s grandeur, making it an essential destination for budding historians and architecture admirers.
Renaissance
Florence, a city in Italy, is globally recognized as the cradle of the Renaissance, a transformative period from the 14th to the 17th century that revolutionized art, culture, and science. The Renaissance was birthed in Italy due to the country’s historical richness, its abundance of ancient architecture, and its influential position as a trade center, which facilitated exposure to diverse ideas and cultures.
This period saw the rise of legendary Italian artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, whose groundbreaking techniques and emphasis on humanism have left an indelible mark on art and philosophy, not only in Italy but across the globe. The era was also notable for significant strides in science and technology, spearheaded by renowned Italians such as Galileo Galilei, particularly in the field of astronomy.
The enduring legacy of the Italian Renaissance is a treasure trove of knowledge and cultural evolution that continues to shape the world today.
Venice canals
Venice, a renowned Italian city, uniquely constructed on water, is a masterpiece of human ingenuity. The city’s transportation system is unlike any other, with over 150 aquatic channels replacing traditional roads. Travel within Venice is facilitated through the use of gondolas, the city’s iconic boats, as well as vaporettos, akin to water buses.
This distinctive cityscape is composed of 118 interconnected small islands, seamlessly bound by more than 400 bridges. Among all canals, the Grand Canal stands out as a central artery, always bustling with gondolas and vaporettos. The intricate network of Venice’s canals contributes to the city’s enchanting allure, making it a must-visit destination.
Pasta
Italy’s culinary reputation is hugely attributed to its delectable pasta dishes, with a staggering 600 unique pasta shapes reportedly produced within the country. From childhood, Italians are immersed in this tradition, learning to appreciate and craft a diverse range of pasta forms, spanning from widely recognized types like spaghetti and macaroni to more distinctive shapes such as farfalle, resembling butterflies, and fusilli, echoing corkscrews.
A quirky tidbit about Italians is their impressive pasta consumption, averaging over 51 pounds per individual annually, exemplifying their sheer love for this staple food. So, when you savor your preferred pasta dish, bear in mind its potential roots in Italy, a nation steeped in a rich pasta-making heritage.
Michelangelo
Italy, renowned for its delightful pizza and pasta, also boasts a rich artistic history, with Michelangelo being one of the most celebrated Italian artists. Born in a small town near Florence in 1475, Michelangelo mastered painting, sculpture, and architecture, carving a timeless legacy that continues to captivate millions of annual visitors to Italy.
His most notable works include the ‘David’ and ‘Pieta’ sculptures and the awe-inspiring frescoes on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling in Rome. Despite originating from the 16th century, Michelangelo’s creations remain timeless, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest artists of all time. His life and work serve as a testament to the deep-seated love for art and culture that is intrinsic to Italian heritage.
Mafia
Italy, globally acclaimed for its iconic contributions such as pizza, pasta, the Colosseum, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, also has historical ties to the Mafia or ‘La Cosa Nostra’. This group, which emerged in the 19th century, has been widely associated with organized crime, encompassing illegal activities such as smuggling and racketeering.
However, it’s crucial to note that this forms only a fraction of Italy’s rich history and does not encapsulate the entirety of Italian culture. The people of Italy are renowned for their love of family, passion for art, and delectable cuisine, all of which contribute more significantly to the nation’s identity.
Tuscany
Located in the heart of Italy, Tuscany is a region that captivates with its picturesque landscapes, profound artistic heritage, and culture that has been instrumental in shaping the world. It’s the cradle of the Italian Renaissance and houses numerous globally renowned works of art and architecture. For young adventurers, Tuscany’s countryside, sprinkled with medieval castles, vineyards, and quaint villages, offers a thrilling fusion of history and nature.
Tuscany’s culinary excellence is world-famous, being the birthplace of pizza and gelato. This region has also significantly contributed to the high-quality Italian leather goods industry. Regardless of whether you’re an aspiring artist, a history enthusiast, a food aficionado or an explorer, Tuscany promises a mesmerizing experience for all.
Vespa
Famed for its significant imprints in the transportation sphere, particularly through the invention of the iconic Vespa scooter, Italy has much to offer. The compact and stylish Vespa was birthed by the Italian firm, Piaggio, in 1946, swiftly rising to symbolize freedom and creativity.
Interestingly, the term ‘Vespa’ translates to ‘wasp’ in Italian, an appellation inspired by the scooter’s unique buzzing sound and shape that evoke the image of a wasp. This renowned scooter might be familiar to children from its appearances in numerous movies and cartoons. The typical Italian experience is often associated with maneuvering a Vespa through the narrow, winding pathways of Italian metropolises like Rome and Florence.
Italy is a very old civilization. It is known for art, music and food. Families are important here. Grandparents, parents, children and aunts and uncles all live together or close by. Family meals go on for several hours and are a time to talk and laugh. Children live at home until they are in their 30’s or older.
Fun Facts about Italy for Kids
- The capital city of Italy is Rome.
- Sergio Mattarella is the President of Italy (Data June 2018).
- Giuseppe Conte is the Prime Minister of Italy.
- Italy has 113,545 square miles of land.
- 60,500,000 people live in Italy.
- For hundreds of years, Italy was split into independent states – some ruled by foreigners. In 1861, the country was finally reunited as one country.
- Italian is the official language of Italy.
- 83 percent of Italians are Christian, and most are Catholic.
- The Euro € is the recognized currency.
- Italians can expect to live 82.8 years.
- 98.85 percent of adults can read.
- The river Po is the longest river in Italy 652 km.
- At 4,808 m Mount Blanc is the highest mountain in Italy.
- Mount Etna is Europe’s largest volcano and highly active, it is located on the east coast of Sicily. It measures 3,327 m high.
- Mount Vesuvius is found 9 km east of Naples and is another active volcano. You probably would have heard the story of Pompeii being destroyed in AD 79 by a volcanic eruption on Mount Vesuvius.
- Italy has won the football world cup 4 times (1934 – 1938 – 1982- 2006).
- Pizza and Lasagna are some of the popular Italian dishes.
- Italy has some wonderful wildlife such as: Lynx, Wolves, Golden Eagles and Ibex.
- Over one million people visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa each year.
Italy Vocabulary
- Island: a landmass surrounded by water
- Settle: colonize, live in
- Civilization: settled area
- Reunited: brought back together
- Currency: money
All About Italy Video for Kids
Watch this awesome Italy video for kids:
This is a video of 10 famous food and drinks from Italy and the process of how they are made.
Italy Q&A
Question: What do people do to earn a living here?
Answer: Northern Italy is a wealthy, urban area. People are work in industry or have service jobs, such as banking, education and medicine. In southern Italy, many people are farmers. They grow grain, grapes for wine or olives.
Map of Italy
Here’s a map of the country of Italy and all its cities and villages. Zoom in to get into street level or zoom out to see other countries around Italy! You can see the terrain, but also see the roads, images of the buildings and even take a 3D tour through the streets of the cities of Italy, as though you are actually there!
