VERY INTERESTING: ITALY

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

ITALY

1. Italy is one of Western Europe's youngest countries

Did you know how old Italy is as a country? Italy has only been a country since 1861, when the separate nation-states unified together as the Kingdom of Italy. This might seem strange given Italy has one of the longest and most colourful histories in Europe – and even the world. Though Italy became a single political entity in Roman times, it divided again shortly after. Up until 1861, Italy remained a collection of smaller sovereign states, which accounts for cultural variations across the country today.

2. Rome is over 2,000 years old

Rome was founded in 753 BC. The Roman Empire, named after the city where it began started in 27 BC, and ruled over much of Europe and parts of North Africa until 395 AD. After this Italy was divided into many separate states, until it was unified in 1861. Italy's national day is called the Festa della Repubblica. The founding of the republic is celebrated every year on the 2nd of June.

3. The country was under a dictatorship for 20 years

The fascist dictator Benito Mussolini ruled over Italy from 1925 until 1945. Before assuming control of the country he served as prime minister for three years, from 1922. Known as Il Duce (which means the leader), Mussolini started out as a radical socialist but aligned himself with Adolf Hitler in the lead up to World War II. He was killed in 1945 by partisan troops.

4. Italy's last king ruled for just 36 days

On to a related Italy fun fact: even though it was ruled by a dictator until 1945, Italy had a royal family until 1946. In the wake of the Second World War, the citizens voted to abolish the idea of a ruling monarchy in favour of a republic. King Umberto II ruled from 9 May 1946 to 12 June 1946. He was cheekily nicknamed "the May King", and spent the rest of his days living in exile on the Portuguese Riviera.

5. The national flag is green, white and red

The colours of the Italian flag represent hope (green), faith (white) and charity (red). Another interesting fact about Italy: the flag was inspired by the French flag of similar design. In Italian, it is frequently referred to as "il Tricolore", and there's even a Tricolour Day (or Flag Day) on 7 January. Celebrations are centred on Reggio Emilia, where the flag was first adopted by the Cispadane Republic in 1797.

and as always have a chilled day from the Viking