Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

A POR TR AIT OF IT AL Y  25

A PORTRAIT

OF ITALY

Italy has drawn people in search of culture and romance for many centuries.
Few countries can compete with its Classical origins, its art, architecture,
musical and literary traditions, its scenery or food and wine. The ambiguity of
its modern image is also fascinating: since World War II Italy has climbed into
the top ten world economies, yet at its heart it retains many of the customs,
traditions and regional allegiances of its agricultural heritage.

Italy has no single cultural identity. Bet­ known as Il Mezzogiorno or Land of the
ween the northern snow­capped peaks Midday Sun. The frontier separating the
of the Alps and the rugged southern two is indeterminate, lying somewhere
shores of Sicily lies a plethora of distinctive between Rome and Naples.
regions and peoples. Politically, Italy is a The north is directly responsible
young country: it did not exist as a unified for Italy’s place among the world’s
nation state until 1870, and its 20 regions top industrial nations. It has been
have maintained their cultural individ­ the powerhouse behind the Italian
uality. Visitors to Italy are often pleasantly economic miracle, its success achieved
surprised by the diversity of its dialects, by internationally renowned names such
cuisines and architecture. There is also a as Fiat, Prada, Ferragamo, Pirelli, Olivetti,
larger regional division. People speak of Zanussi, Alessi and Armani. In contrast,
two distinct Italies: the rich, industrial the south, once a cradle of high culture
north and the poorer, agricultural south, and civilization, has been dogged by

The rooftops of Montalcino, viewed from the town’s fortress
Cobbled lane in the coastal fishing town of Cefalù, Sicily

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