Curiosità Italiana

1. What great Italian explorer was born in Genoa, Italy in 1450 and is credited with claiming land that was later settled as Colonial America?
2. What is the longest river in Italy?
3. Name Italy’s highest mountain.
4. “Vermicelli” is a popular type of pasta. What does its name mean?
5. What is Italy’s largest manufacturing industry?
6. In 1492, the world’s oldest bank was founded in what Italian city?
7. Michelangelo’s most famous statue, “David” can be found in which city?
8. Major league baseball player Jim Gentile of the Brooklyn Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles, holds what baseball record?
9. During the Great Migration, what percentage of Italian immigrants entered through Ellis Island?
10. Into what category does the olive fall?

Answers

1. Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot)
2. The Po River
3. Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) at 15,781 feet
4. “Little Worms”
5. Automobiles
6. Siena – Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena
7. Florence
8. He was the first player to hit consecutive grand slam home runs during his first two at bats on May 9, 1961.
9. 95%
10. The olive is classified as a stone fruit, much like a plum or a peach. It has a single hard stone or pit that encases its seeds.