Italy's Finest Resource: It's People

Colorful, rich, bold, romantic; Italy is all this and more. Historically rich, Italy is a cornerstone of today's western culture. Agriculturally rich, the Italian countryside is a prolific producer of fruit, vegetables, and livestock. Culturally rich, Italy has produced the world's best in art, architecture, music and literature. But Italy's greatest wealth is its people: the gregarious, charming, Italians that seem to know how to do everything bigger and better. They love their food, their families, their music and their heritage. They exude confidence, charisma and hospitality. Venice has its canals, Rome its Coliseum, Florence its heritage of art, Tuscany its color, and the whole country boasts hundreds of miles of seashore; but of all the beautiful and historic sights Italy has to offer, the best treat a visitor will find are the colorful Italian people.

Italy has a population of over 58 million people in an area slightly larger than the state of Arizona. The traditional Mediterranean culture has had its influence on the central and southern parts of the country where most Italians are shorter with olive skin and dark hair. Farther north, the people are taller, blond and have lighter eyes, due to the Germanic influence across the Alps. But tall or short, light or dark, all Italians are gifted with the same collective outlook on life. They enjoy it. They are lively, sociable and have a passion for everything they do. They express emotions more freely than most and are not afraid to give hugs, kisses, and other displays of affection. Italians love to laugh and talk loudly, usually emphasizing everything with hand gestures. They are quick to welcome strangers into their towns and homes, and are always ready to share a meal or a story, a good joke or a song.