by Tania Garcia Núñez 2º ESO A, 2010-2011 Instituto español V. Cañada Blanch Londres

1. Rome, the Eternal City Tania Garcia Núñez 2º ESO A, 2010-2011 Instituto español V. Cañada Blanch Londres

2. Rome Rome is the capital of Italy and the country’s largest and most populated city, with over 2.7 million residents. Rome’s metropolitan area is the second largest in Italy (after Milan) with 3.7 million residents. It’s located in the central – western portion of the Italy peninsula, on the Tiber river within the Lazio region of Italy.

3. Culture Rome is very rich in culture. Its history spans over two and a half thousand years. It was the capital city of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire which was the dominant power in Western Europe until the arrival of the Barbarians.

4. Climate Rome enjoys a Mediterranean climate, typical of Mediterranean coasts of Italy. Springs and autumns are mild to warm, and Roman ottobrate (“beautiful October days”) are known as being sunny and warm. Winters are normally cold and summers are normally really hot. -------------

5. Religion Much like the rest of Italy, Rome is predominantly Roman catholic and the city has been an important centre of religion for centuries. It was the base of Ancient Rome religions. The first gods to be honoured by the Romans were Jupiter (god of thunder), The most high, and Mars (god of war). Other gods and goddesses like Vesta (goddess of the hearth) and Minerva (goddess of wisdom) were honoured after.

7. Architecture Rome’s architecture has developed a lot from classical and Imperial Roman styles to modern. Rome was one of the world’s most important places with classical architecture. One of its most famous places is the Coliseum. ----------------------

8. The Coliseum The Coliseum which is the biggest amphitheatre in Roman world is also the most famous monument in Rome. The Coliseum is one of the most important ancient constructions. It is called the Coliseum because it is next to the colossal statue of Emperor Nero.

9. Above: the Coliseum nowadays. Right: A simulation of the Coliseum as it used to be, next to the colossal statue of Emperor Nero.

10. Fountains Rome is famous for its numerous fountains built in all different styles, from classical and Medieval, to Baroque and Neoclassical. The city has had fountains for more than two thousand years, providing drinking water and decorating the city squares. One of the most important ones is the Trevi Fountain.

12. Cuisine Rome’s cuisine has developed throughout centuries and times of social, cultural and political changes. It became a major gastronomic centre during Ancient Rome. Ramans ate everything from peacocks or slugs marinated in milk to stuffed roasted door mice. Nowadays maybe the most typical Roman dish is spaghetti allacarbonara.

13. Sources: www.italyguides.it/us/roma/rome_italy_travel.htm Romeitaly.ca www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/rome Google images The End