Europe Notes

Europe EUROPEAN UNIONThe European Union (EU) has evolved from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today?s supranational organization of 26 countries across the European continentA new currency, the Euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it became the unit of exchange for all of the EU states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark. In 2002, citizens of 12 euro-area countries began using the euro bank notes and coins.7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered into force)Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - a Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert Schuman proposed the creation of an organized Europe.27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania*, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK. Candidate countries: Croatia, Turkey; note - the EC has recommended that Macedonia become a candidate country.SCHENGENThe Schengen countries have joined efforts to enhance the quality of their service to the public. A central database, common procedures and criteria for visa issuance and use of the same visa sticker with high-level built-in security are all assets for both our countries and you the visitor. Moreover, the use of a common visa system has enabled us to re-organize our office network. Today the Schengen countries are represented by professional and skilled staff at a much wider network than before. We now have over 1,500 offices worldwide, of which nearly 100 are located in the United States. The Schengen visa helps promote a unified Europe, and is therefore an important symbol of the European Union. The name ?Schengen? originates from a small town in Luxembourg. In June 1985, seven European Union countries signed a treaty to end internal border checkpoints and controls. More countries have joined the treaty over the past years. At present, there are 16 Schengen countries, all in Europe. The 16 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. All these countries except Norway and Iceland are European Union members.COUNTRIES (REGIONS / STATES)1Italy 20 Regions2Austria9 Bundeslanders3Liechtenstein11 communities4Switzerland26 Cantons5Germany16 Federal States6Belgium3 Regions7France 22 Regions8United Kingdom4 Countries9Netherlands12 Provinces10Paris20 Districts11London32 Burroughs & London City12Brussels19 Districts, 2 languages

RiversROMETIBERVENICEPO/PIAVE DELTA / ADIGE / BRENTAFLORENCEARNOPISAARNOINNSBRUCKINNLUCERNEREUSSCOLOGNERHINEHEIDELBERGNECKARANTWERPSCHELDEAMSTERDAMAMSTEL / MAASPARISSEINELONDONTHAMESGENEVARHONEBERNAARENICEVAR / PAILLONZURICHLIMMAT / SIHLHeights / Lengths / Weights / Dimensions

ITALYArea : 301,250 sq km (20 Regions)Population : 58.7 million (2006)Capital : RomeLanguage : Italian & many dialectsReligion : 85% Roman Catholics & 5% Jewish & ProtestantsHead of State : President ? Giorgio NAPOLITANO Prime Minister : Romano PRODI Currency : Euro Major Industries : Engineering , Textile, Chemicals, Wine making, Automobile industry (Fiat,Lancia,Ferrari,lamborghini,maserati),motor bikes:Ducati,Piaggio,Aspira,Vespa. Agriculture : Sugar beet,wheat,,maize,tomatoes,wine potatoes,olives.Fishing :Mussels,sardines,trout,shrimps & prawns,suids & shellfish. Per Capita Income : US$ 27,727 (2004)Tourism : 20 million annuallyRegions :20 RegionsLargest Cities:RankCityPopulation1Rome 4.5 million2Milan 1.3 million3Naples1.1 million8Florence0.4 million

Italy streches length wise from north to south and is shaped like a shoe.Famous wine is Chianti,famous cheese are Parmesian,Mozarella,Bolognia.Italy is sorounded by Adriatic sea,Tyrrhenian sea,Ligurian sea and Ionian seas.About 75% of the Italian peninsula is mountanious with the Alps separating the country from France,Switzerland & Austria.Italy has 4 active volcanoes Stromboli and Vulcano in the Aeolian Island,Vesuvius near naples,Etna in Sicily.In the 1st century BC,under Julius Caesar,Rome conquered and moved in to Egypt.After Caesar's assassination by his nephew,Brutus,in 44 BC,a power strugle began between Mark Antony and Cleopatra in Egypt in 31 BC and establishment of of the roman empire in 27 BC.Octavius who had been adopted by Julius Ceasar as his son and heir,took the title of Augustus Ceasar and became the first emperor and ruled for 45 yrs.By the end of 3rd century,the empire had widely grown that emperor Diocletian divided it between east & west for adminstrative purposes.His successor Constantine declared religious freedom for Christians & moved the seat of power to the eastern capital,Byzantium,which he renamed Constantinople.During the 4th century Christianity was declared the official state religion and grew in power and influence.

ITALIAN INVENTION: ketchup (300 BC), the fork (11th C),eye glasses (13th C),mechanical clocks (1335),radio (1901)

ROME ? Area : 150 sq km. Population : 4.5 million.River:Tiber?Tevere 406 kms long.Rome is also called as the capital of the world ("Caput Mundi") Region:Lazio GRA ? Grande Raccordo Anulare - 56 km, 33 Exits.Brief History : A historical city built on 7 hills. Tiberine Islands, located in the Tiber River, was dedicated by the Romans to the God of medicine, Aesculapius. Legend has it that a Latin Princess Rhea Silvia, daughter of King Numitor, had twins Romulus & Remus, fathered by the war God Mars. The king at that time was afraid that the twins might make claim to his throne so he had them put in a basket & set them adrift on the Tiber. The twins were found by a female wolf who fed them her own milk. Soon after a shepherd adopted them & raised them as his own. Upon growing up, the boys vowed to build a city where they had been abandoned as babies. Each chose a hill & became leader of a new city. Eventually quarrels broke out & Romulus killed Remus, leaving Romulus hilltop, Palatine, the center of the new city - ROME. (753 BC). First city in history to have a population of 1 million.Current city is 30 feet above the ancient city.2 airports in rome Fiumichino & Ciampiano.Gardens in Rome are Tivoli garden.There are 13 obelisk in Rome.

Quotes : There is a saying that if the Colosseum falls the world will follow,All Roads lead to Rome,Rome was not built in a day,When in Rome do as the Romans do.

7 Hills of RomeQUIRANAL / CAPITOLINE / VININALE / PALATINE / AVENTINE / CAELLON / ESQUILINE

COLOSSEUM : Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre was started by Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD in the ground of Nero's Golden house,and was completed by his son Titus. In the ancient world, the oval-shaped Colosseum, took 8 years to build (72-80 AD).The opening was memorable as was the celebration held for 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome in 249AD,hundreds of animals,including elephant,lions,tiger,hippos,giraffes and zebras as wellas 2000 gladiators were killed. It was the largest structure of its type. It stood 160 ft / 50 mts high, 660 ft by 560 ft, with 4 stories of windows, arches & columns. Each of the three floors had 80 arches, as many as 50,000 spectators with numbered tickets entered through 76 gates, 2 for Emperor & 2 for the Gladiators. Romans came to watch Gladiator & animal fights.Gladiator used to fight with gladiator,animals with gladiator & the emperor use to watch the spectacle.It became a fortress in middle ages & later on a marble quary also it is said that this was the place for slaughtering of Christians.They say when the Colloseum will fall the world will follow.

Driving towards Colloseum you see 4 maps of Roman Empire made by Mussolini on the opposite side is the staue of Julius Ceasar.

ARCH OF CONSTANTINE : Stands 25 mts high & was constructed in 315 AD. Dedicated to the first Christian Emperor, Constantine.It was build to honour Constantine's victory over his rival maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge.

PALAZO VENEZIA : Located on Piazza Venezia got its name from Cardinal Venezia from Venice, Built by Pope Paul II in the 15th century. It was used by Mussolini, to address people from the balcony. Now it?s a museum of Medieval Art.Opposite is Palazo Buonaparte where napolean's mother used to live after his deafeat.

TRAJAN COLUMN:Was built in 113 AD,it is 35 mtrs high,the statue of St.Peters was added in the 17th C,earlier it had a statue of Trajan.On the column are carvings recounting episodes from the war.

TRITON FOUNTAIN:Designed by Bernini in 1643,it consist of Triton (Merman) blowing a conch and standing on an open oyster with 4 dolphins.

CASTEL SAINT ANGELO: Built by emperor Hadrian in 130 AD as the emperors tomb,later converted in a fort.It's name comes from castle of Holly Angels dates from 590 when an Angel fortelling the end of a Plague epedemic.

SPANISH STEPS:Church of Trinita dei Monti was funded by the French and The Spanish Embassy,the fountain was made by Pietro Bernini.

TEATRO DI MARCELLO: Was begun by Julius Ceasar it was a theatre.

PIAZZA DELLA REPUBLICA: Has the fountain of Naiads made in 1901.

FONTANA DE QUATTRO FIUMI:(fOUNTAIN OF 4 RIVERS) MADE BY bERNINI IN 1651,IT REPRESENTS gANGES,Nile,Danube and river Plate.

VICTOR EMMANUEL MONUMENT : It was built in 1885 (designed by Giuseppe Sacconi), to celebrate Italy?s unification in 1870 & was dedicated in 1911 to the First King, Victor Emmanuel II. It is also referred to as ?The Typewriter? or ?The Wedding Cake?. Officially the ?Altar of the Father Land?. The white marble structure stands 80 mts high. Guarded by soldiers? night & day, it houses the tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame.

ROMAN FORUM (Foro Romano) : Built over 900 years ago, it was the commercial, political & religious centre of ancient Rome from the republican era to the 4th century AD. It spreads along the valley floor between Capitoline & Palatine hills.

CIRCUS MAXIMUS : It was a large oval track, where chariot races took place, the circus had the capacity to accommodate 250,000 people like shown in the movie Benhur.

TREVI FOUNTAIN : It derives its name from its position at the intersection of three roads (tre vie). According to legend anyone who throws a coin into the water is guaranteed to return to the Eternal City. Designed by, Nicola Salvi, who finished the undertaking between 1732 and 1751. The central niche seems to impart movement to the imposing figure of Neptune who firmly guides a chariot drawn by two Sea Horses, ?Agitated? & ?Placid?, the names obviously derived from the way the two horses have been represented. As they gallop over the water, the horses are guided by fine figures of Tritons which emerge from the water & which were sculpted by P. Bracci in 1762. Water is supplied from an aqueduct 20 km away.TIME ELEVATOR : Interactive 4D simulation show, history of Rome.

The hospital on Tiberine Island is called as Fatebenefratelli.

VATICAN CITYArea : 0.44 sq km / 0.17 sq milesPopulation : 925 (July 2005)Language :Latin (official) & ItalianReligion : Roman Catholics Head of State : Pope Benedict XVI (265th Pope) , Joseph Ratzinger - dob - 16th April 1927, off ? 19th April 2005.Currency : Euro Political System : Absolute Catholicism (Papal Commission)

Brief : It is the world?s smallest independent state. It emerged as an autonomous independent state on 11th Feb 1929. It is the administrative & spiritual capital of the Catholics.The Vatican has its own T.V,Press,Post offices,Police,Stamps,newspaper,radio station,train station etc. The Pope is guarded by 100 Swiss Guards who are single under 30 yrs of age,their uniform were designed by Michelangelo.

The Vatican city covers the Vatican hill lying between Monte Mario and the janiculum.In the 1st Century BC it was the site of caligula's circus,where nero had 100's of christian martyred.The church rises on the spot where one of nero's victim St.Peter, was burried. THE VATICAN MUSEUM : The Vatican Museums comprises the papal apartments of the medieval Apostolic Palace decorated with frescoes during the Renaissance, the Sistine Chapel, the exhibition rooms of the Vatican Apostolic Library & the Museums themselves.You also get to see beautiful tapestry,frescoes and map gallery

St. PETERS CATHEDRAL (Basilica San Pietro) : The original basilica was founded by Constantine upon the site where St. Peter was martyred and was built between 324 AD & 349 AD. Pope Julius II decided to build a completely new cathedral & started construction in 1506 designed by Bramante & completed by Michelangelo. When finally completed it was consecrated by Pope Urban VIII on 18th Nov 1626. It is 114.69 mts wide & internal height 120 mts. Upon entering, on the right you will find Michelangelo?s Pieta-carved in 1499, his only signed work, this statue is of Virgin Mary mourning over the lifeless body of young Jesus on her lap,Michelangelo sculpted Pieta when he was only 25 yrs & the only work to carry his signature on the sash on Mother Mary. This is the 1st of the four Pietas. Two are in Milan & one is in Florence . Towards the Altar you will find the bronze statue of St Peter,its feet are worn out by million of people who come and touch & kiss his feet.There is bernini's heavily sculpted bronze canopy(Baldacchino) over the altar which is 29 mtrs high,St.Peter's body is burried below the canopy.The dome is designed by michelangelo. The art on the ceiling is done in mosaic,mosaic is not painting it is small pieces of colourfull tiles which is stuck together.

THE LARGEST CHURCH IN INDIA IS THE OUR LADY OF DOLOURES ?NEW CHURCH? BASILICA IN THRISSUR (ALSO THE BIGGEST IN SOUTH ASIA).

St. PETER?S SQUARE (Piazza San Pietro) : It can accommodate 400,000 people. The square is surrounded by 284 pillars surmounted by 140 statues of saints & martyrs. In the center is the Obelisk from Heliopolis (Greece)brought by Caligula to adorn his circus.On top of the obelisk in the golden sphere is beleived to contain the ashes of Julius Ceasar. On each side of the obelisk are two Baroque Fountains.When you stand between the fountains,the colonades appears to have one row of column.The pope resides on the right side building on the 3rd floor.The square was designed by Michelangelo.From top it looks like two arms of St.Peter protecting people in the square.There are 2 staues one of St.Peter holding the keys to heaven and the other of St.Paul he is holding a sword & he is the protector of heaven.

SISTINE CHAPEL : Built between 1475 & 1483 (8yrs), in the time of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere, the Sistine Chapel had originally served as Palatine Chapel. The chapel is rectangular in shape & measures 40.93 mts long, 13.41 mts wide & 20.70 mts high, i.e. the exact dimensions of the temple of Solomon (son of David), as given in the Old Testament. The 1st mass was held on 9th Aug 1483.The subject in the centre of the ceilingare;separation of light from Darkness,Creation of the Universe,Separation of land from Sea and Creation of Animals,Creation of adam,Creation of Eve,fall of man and Expulsion from paradise,Noah's sacrifice,the flood and the drunkenness of Noah. The architectural plans were made by Baccio Pontelii & the construction work was supervised by Giovannino de Dolci. The wall paintings were executed by Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Roselli, Luca Signorelli & their respective workshops.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned by Pope Julius II della Rovere in 1508 to repaint the ceiling, the work was completed in 1512. He painted the Last Judgment at the altar, between 1535 & 1541, being commissioned by Pope Paul III Farnese. There is a painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci. The large Globe that one sees before entering the Sistine Chapel is made by Pomodoro.

Hierarchy of the Church

PriestaVicaraVicar GeneralaBishopaArchbishopa CardinalaPope

PISA

PISA : Area : 185 sq km, Population : 100,000 Region : Tuscany,River :Arno 240 kms long.Brief : It is in the state of Tuscany, Birthplace of Galileo, he carried out his famous experiments on the effects of Gravity. The river Arno passes through Pisa.

CAMPO dei MIRACOLI (Square of Miracles) : This square has the Baptistry, the Cathedral & the famous Bell Tower.

THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA : (La Torre Pendante)It is a Bell Tower. Its construction was started in 1174 by Bonano Pisano. When the tower reached the third level it began to sink on one side & construction was stopped. It remained like that for 90yrs & was later completed by Giovanni di Simone in 1264.

It is an 8 storied structure ,with 294 steps. It is 55.86 mts (186 FEET) high, 15.50 mts dia, less than 3 mts foundation, 14 ft off centre and a 5 degree tilt. The whole tower is made of Carara Marble & weighs 14,500 tons.It has 7 bells tuned on the 7 musical notes.Galileo carried out his experiments on the effect of gravity.It is one of the 7 wonders of the world.Leaning tower has stoped leaning now beacuse few years back they pumped lead ignots below making the soil below strong.In Italian it is called as Torre pendante,the leaning tower is actually a bell tower.

KUTUB MINAR : IT IS APPROX 72.54 M (238 FEET) IN HEIGHT. IT CONTAINS 379 STAIRS.

The BAPTISTRY : (Batistero)Built in 1153 by Salvi, 55 mts high & 35.5 mts diametre.Baptistry is a place for Christian to get baptised before entering the church.

THE CATHEDRAL : (Duomo)Built in 1063 by Puschetto (architect), 100 mts length, 54 mts high & 35 mts width. There are paintings of Giovanni Pisano in the cathedral.

PERUGIA:Population:6 lakhs,Capital of Umbria,overlooks Tiber river,famous for cultural events & universities,lake in Perugia is Trasimeno,famous for Perugina chocalate and olives.

Genova to Pisa you pass 176 Tunnels.Genova is the Capital of Liguria also the Birth place of Christopher Columbus,the port is the biggest in Italy & also called as Christopher Columbus.

Comic character Pinachio is from Pistoi/Collodi near Pisa(when he lied his nose became bigger & bigger)

Pisa airport is called as Galileo Galilei.

FLORENCE - Area : 102 sq km, Population : 4.2 Lakh,Italian name Firenze, Capital of Tuscany Region. FAMOUS FOR LEATHER PRODUCTSBrief : Italian name is Firenze . River Arno passes through. It was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC . It is also the birth place of the Italian language (Aligari Dante),Michelangelo & Medicis. Birth place of Renaissance. Florence was briefly (1865 ? 1871) the capital of the kingdom of Italy. Florence was long ruled by the Medici family for a total of 282 years.It is an important transport and manufacturing centre. It is a market of wine,olive oil,vegetable,Fruits & Flowers.In 1252 the first gold coin was used for trading by the Medici family.

DUOMO (Santa Maria del Fiore) : The cathedral is noted for its distinctive dome (107 mts) & its structure is made out of green (Prato), white (Carara) & red (Siena) marble. The name translates ?Saint Mary of the Flower? referring to the Lily, which is the symbol of Florence.The cathedral was built on the site of the previou one,Santa Reparta which was too small for the people of Florence. It was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1294, and took 140 years to build. The compound includes the Campanile & the Baptistery with its famous ?Gates to Paradise? made by Lorenzo Gilberti.The Duomo has 463 steps.Behind is the cathedral museum which has Michelangelo's one of three Pieta.

BAPTISTERY:Built in the 5th century,is a striking 8 sided green & white marble bldg.The sculpted door on 3 sides are celebrated works,the south door with scenes from the life of St.John the Baptist,the north door with scenes from the new testament,and one of the great master peice of early Renaissance art is the door of paradise sculpted with old Testament stories,Michelangelo called this door the door to pardise.The Apse is dominated by the huge figure of Christ the saviour in Judgement.

BELL TOWER:CAMANILLE: Giotto started work on the huge green,pink & white belltower in 1334 & was completed by Andrea Pisano.The bell tower is 85 mtrs tall.

PIAZZA della SIGNORIA : It is an open air museum of sculptures, where you will see statues of David (marble), Judith & Holojernes, Hercules & Cacus. One can also see, Perseus with Medusa?s cut off head, Rape of Sabine woman, Hercules & Centaur,Menelaos carrying the dead Patroclus and many more, in the square one can also see The Fountain of Neptune in the centre.On the exteme left is the equestrian staue of Cosimo I the first king of Florence.

PONTE VECCHIO : Literally ?Old Bridge?. It is a famous medieval bridge over the river Arno. It was first erected in Roman times and was originally made of wood. After being destroyed in the floods in 1333, it was rebuilt in 1345, this time in stone. It has always hosted shops & merchants ? Legend says this was originally due to tax exemption. They displayed their goods on a table after authorization of the Bargello (Authority). It is the only bridge on the River Arno to have survived the 2nd World War.

SANTA CROCE : It is called the Pantheon of Florence because Michelangelo, Galileo,Machiavelli & many famous Italian personalities are buried here. One can see the statue of Aligari Dante, the man who wrote the Italian Language. The only catholic church to have the Jewish Symbol on the facade.

PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO : From here one can get an amazing view of the city below. Here one can see the impressive statue (Bronze replica) of David. It stands at 4.1 mt / 13.5 ft.

MICHELANGELO?S DAVID : Sculpted between 1501 ? 1504. David is considered to be a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. It portrays the Biblical David at the moment that he decides to engage Goliath. This 4.1 mt / 13.5 ft marble statue was commissioned as a symbol of the Florentine Republic. The statue was originally placed in Piazza Signoria, just in front of the Palazzo della Signoria. To protect it from damage, in 1873 it was moved to the Academia Gallery in Florence. A replica was placed in Piazza Signoria in 1910.

MICHELANGELO di LODOVICO BUONARROTI SIMONI (6th Mar 1475 ? 18th Feb 1564) : Born in Caprese near Arezzo, Michelangelo was raised in Florence & later lived with a sculptor in Satignano where his father owned a marble quarry & had a small farm. Micheangelo was a Renaissance painter,Sculptor,poet & architect.He is famous for creating the fresco ceiling of the Sistine Chappel as well as the Last Judgement over the Altar & also the last supper inside the sistine chappel.Michelangelo also designed the dome of St Peters Basilica.

ORSANMICHELE: Was built in 1290 as a grain market was latter transformed into a church in 1404.

UFFIZI GALLERY:Is famous for its art gallery,is one of the finest gallery in Europe was built in 16th century to house Govt. offices and law courts.

ACADEMIA GALLERY: Is a gallery of fine art,housing many works by Michelangelo,including his David.

PITTI PALACE:Medici family brought the palace in 1550.

The locks on Ponte Vechio are signs of eternal love,young lovers comes and put locks on the wall and throw the keys in the Arno river,so their love remains locked.Next to it is the Pigs statue,if you rub the pig you get lucky.

Florence to Bologna you see Apenine mountain.Leonardo da vici was born in a small town of Vinci in Tuscanny near Florence in 1452.

VENICE - Population :350,000 Region : Veneto.River near Venice Po 652 kms,Piave 220 kms,Adige 410 kms..

Venice is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world.It is the city of canals,streches across numerous small island in a marshy lagoon along the adriatic sea in the north east of Italy.The salt water streches along the shoreline between the mouth of the Po & Piave river.Venice is the capital of Veneto.It is a port & naval base on the north eastern coast of Italy.It draws 8 million tourist every year.Venice is built on 117 islands,it has 150 canals and 400 bridges.The entire city is built on millions 7 millions of wooden piles.Venice became a part of Italy in 1866.It is also called as the sinking city.Transportation is done by traditional Gondola and Vaporetto(water bus).Industries in venice includes Glassware,mirrors,beads,jewellry,textile,Venetian mask & Lace(made in Burano island).The winged Lion is the symbol of Venice.3 famous bridges on the Grand canal The Rialto.The Accademia,The Scalzi.The train station in Venice is called as Santa Lucia.The back water is called as laggon from Adriatic sea also called as Gulf of Venezia.We sail on the Guidecca canal from fusinna terme & the Gondola is on the Grand canal.Island around Venice are St.George,san rocco,Murano Island