Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.
July 9th 2008Europe » Italy » Liguria » Imperia Tomorrow we leave Italy to head back to the U.S. and the heat of Texas! What a treat it has been to be here in the mountains in this magical village of Triora! Traveling always creates change and I' ... [full story]
July 7th 2008Europe » Italy » Liguria » Imperia Yesterday was a special celebration at one of the churches in Triora, Sant Agostino. We walked from Jennie & Martins flat uphill to the church. Terry and I attended mass there, which was also first ... 6 photos[full story]
July 5th 2008Europe » Italy » Liguria » Imperia We have finally made it to Italy! What an adventure. We spent several hours in the Nice airport trying to sort out the credit card situation for Susan. I really don't like to use this credit card, ... [full story]
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