ITALIAN View of Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre Flickr / Elvin DLIFLC DEFENSE LANGUAGE INSTITUTE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CENTER 2018 CULTURAL ORIENTATION | Italian TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 | Profile Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6 Geographic Divisions .................................................................................................. 7 Northwest ..............................................................................................................7 Northeast ..............................................................................................................8 Central Italy ...........................................................................................................8 Southern Italy .......................................................................................................9 Insular Italy............................................................................................................9 Climate ..........................................................................................................................10 Bodies of Water ...........................................................................................................10 Rivers ...................................................................................................................10 Lakes ................................................................................................................... 11 Major Cities ..................................................................................................................12 Rome (Roma) .....................................................................................................12 Milan (Milano) ..................................................................................................... 12 Naples (Napoli) .................................................................................................. 13 Turin (Torino) ...................................................................................................... 13 Palermo ...............................................................................................................14 Genoa (Genova) ................................................................................................14 History ...........................................................................................................................15 Italy to 1000 C.E. ...............................................................................................15 1000 C.E.-1860 ..................................................................................................16 1861-1945 ........................................................................................................... 17 1945-2000........................................................................................................... 18 Italy since 2000 ..................................................................................................19 Government .................................................................................................................19 Media ........................................................................................................................... 20 Economy ..................................................................................................................... 21 Ethnic Groups ............................................................................................................. 22 Endnotes for Chapter 1: Profile ............................................................................... 23 Assessment .................................................................................................................31 Chapter 2 | Religion Introduction ..................................................................................................................31 Major Religions .......................................................................................................... 32 Religion and Government ........................................................................................ 34 Religion and Daily Life .............................................................................................. 34 Religious Holidays and Events ................................................................................ 35 National Holidays ...............................................................................................35 2 CULTURAL ORIENTATION | Italian Local Holidays ....................................................................................................36 Buildings of Worship .................................................................................................. 37 Behavior in Buildings of Worship ............................................................................ 38 Endnotes for Chapter 2: Religion ............................................................................ 39 Assessment ................................................................................................................ 43 Chapter 3 | Traditions Introduction ................................................................................................................. 44 Formulaic Codes of Politeness ............................................................................... 45 Status of Women in Italy ............................................................................................47 Hospitality and Gifts .................................................................................................. 48 Eating Customs and Types of Food ....................................................................... 49 Eating Habits ......................................................................................................49 Types of Food .....................................................................................................50 Dress Code ..................................................................................................................51 Nonreligious Holidays ............................................................................................... 52 Dos and Don’ts ........................................................................................................... 54 Dos .......................................................................................................................54 Don’ts ...................................................................................................................54 Endnotes for Chapter 3: Traditions ......................................................................... 55 Assessment ................................................................................................................ 58 Chapter 4 | Urban Life Introduction ................................................................................................................. 59 Urban Issues .............................................................................................................. 60 Urban Healthcare .......................................................................................................61 Urban Education ........................................................................................................ 62 Restaurants................................................................................................................. 63 Types of Eateries ..............................................................................................63 The Menu and Paying the Bill ..........................................................................64 Marketplaces and Vendors ...................................................................................... 66 Shopping .............................................................................................................66 Bargaining ...........................................................................................................67 Money, ATMs, and Credit Cards ............................................................................. 68 Traffic and Transportation ........................................................................................ 69 Cars and Taxis ...................................................................................................69 Public Transportation ........................................................................................70 Street Crimes and Solicitations ............................................................................... 72 Crime ...................................................................................................................72 Beggars ...............................................................................................................73 3 CULTURAL ORIENTATION | Italian Endnotes for Chapter 4: Urban Life .........................................................................74 Assessment ................................................................................................................ 80 Chapter 5 | Rural Life Introduction ..................................................................................................................81 Land Tenure and Land Distribution ........................................................................ 82 Economy ....................................................................................................................