List of countries in the world. Facts and information

Personal connections and recommendations are critical in Italian society. They help people enter an educational institution, get a job, find suitable housing, or build a business. In Italy, they still believe that the best way is “through connections.” And yet, Italian society is quite patriarchal. Compared to other European countries, there are fewer women pursuing careers and fewer women in business and politics.

The locals have dinner very late, often even after 8:00 PM. And after 10:00 PM, when in many countries shopping centers and food outlets are already closing, in Italy, you will still see crowded food courts, restaurants, and cafes.

Like Spain, the country has a siesta. Italians prefer a measured way of life and are in no hurry to return to work after lunch.

Italian homemakers store food in a way that is unusual for many foreigners. For example, it is not customary to keep eggs, milk, cheese, sour cream, and sauces in the refrigerator.

The drink can cost twice as much if you ask for coffee in an English bar. For locals, prices in bars and cafes can be lower than for tourists.

The language considered official in Italy is actually the Florentine dialect. It became common after Dante wrote The Divine Comedy.

Florence is a city in Tuscany with the largest pedestrian area in the world.

At Christmas in Italy, giving each other red underwear is customary. To be happy, you must sleep in them on Christmas night.

In some regions, there is a custom: if three men smoke, the youngest must put out his cigarette first.

When buying, you must take the receipt. Financial police can detain you with a bag from the store or a pie in your hand, ask where you bought it, and slap a large fine for not having a receipt.

Lamborghini was previously known as a company producing tractors.

Italians are not punctual. Time is nothing to them. It is better to come later so as not to wait.

Italians are wary of blue-eyed people. It is believed that they can cast the evil eye.

The country is home to Europe’s oldest university, the University of Bologna, founded in 1088. This prestigious institution highlights Italy's rich academic history and commitment to education.

The local inhabitants, known for their superstitions to use various amulets and signs into daily life. For example, many believe that a cat's sneeze brings good luck, adding a unique element to Italian culture.

One of the central city superstitions says that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome. It is estimated that every day, tourists and Italians themselves throw coins into the fountain for a total of about €3,000! The coins are collected periodically, and all proceeds are donated to capital charities.

In the country, there is a strong cultural relationship for mothers. It is known as "mammonism", . This phenomenon reflects the deep affection that adult sons have for them. The bond explains why over half of Italian men aged 24 to 35 choose to live with their parents, prioritizing family ties.

Italy is one of the top five most visited countries in the world. More than 60 million tourists visit every year.

From the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, many families immigrated from Italy. Therefore, today, there are many ethnic Italians living all over the world—much more than in Italy itself—about 60-70 million people. The largest Italian diasporas are in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Switzerland.

The locals are crazy about cats. In Rome alone, there are more than 300,000 cats, who, by the way, are allowed to freely and around the clock explore all the ruins of the ancient city and its attractions. Italy also has some of the strictest laws regarding cruelty to cats—up to three years in prison.