A Brief History
Early migration to Italy began to escalate in approximately 2000 B.C, also known as the Bronze Age. These people, such as the Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, and Greeks utilized the Mediterranean Sea as their passage way into Italy. Among these groups of people was also an extremely influential people who migrated from the west known as the Etruscans. These non-Indo European people settled in the hills of Italy between Florence and Rome and began to dominate that area and establish villages. The Etruscans influenced the future settlements of Italy as well as what Italy is like today. The Etruscans were the first people who began culturally sharing their art, customs, language and economical systems(Killinger, 2002). Among these influences include the basic form of the alphabet that continues to be used today. Other aspects of cultural influences specifically on Rome were the sport of chariot races, gladiator combats and even the notable dress of the Romans; the toga. Although the language of the non-Indo Europeans has never been fully deciphered, their legacy will always remain embedded in the ancient culture of Italy (Killinger, 2002).
In its early inhabitants (approximately 200 B.C.), Italy experienced high life expectancies as well as high fertility rates. This high rate of fertility was mainly caused by young aged marriages and lack of contraceptives at this time. The population of Italy remained rather constant until the Justinian Plague in 542 B.C. which drastically decreased the population from approximately eleven million to eight million people in 600 B.C. Another hit was taken to the population in the early fourteenth century when about one third of the population was destroyed due to the plague of 1348. Now in modern times, the population of Italy has remained rather constant (Barbiera & Dalla-Zvanna, 2009).
Another factor in which contributed to the early settlement and population of Italy is supported by scientist Jared Diamond. In his book entitled, Guns, Germs and Steel, Diamond explains his theory with supported evidence the reasoning behind Europeans success in the conquering of less advanced countries. At the heart of Diamond’s argument are the benefits of living in a Mediterranean climate zone. Some of these benefits include a moderate climate suitable for growing seeds and other plants and the domestication of animals (Diamond, 1999) . Italy happens to be primarily in the Mediterranean climate zone which means that it experiences dry summers and wet winters. Diamond’s philosophy is supported by the early people of Italy called the Lombards. The Lombards made up approximately five to eight percent of the total population of Italy and lived in northern part of Italy. These people had a successful population due to their ability to grow their own food. Research shows that the peasants of early Italy were better fed than the people in the later Roman era. The primary food source for the Lombards was a variety of vegetables, meats and fish. Because they were able have a steady source of meat, it is evident that they were able to domesticate animals for food. Pieces of pottery have also been found in northern Italy which means that these pots were used to boil or cook food which indicates a spread of boiled foods. Over all, due to this evidence, it is apparent that Italy was a desirable location for many ancient people because of its fertility (Killinger, 2002).
In its early inhabitants (approximately 200 B.C.), Italy experienced high life expectancies as well as high fertility rates. This high rate of fertility was mainly caused by young aged marriages and lack of contraceptives at this time. The population of Italy remained rather constant until the Justinian Plague in 542 B.C. which drastically decreased the population from approximately eleven million to eight million people in 600 B.C. Another hit was taken to the population in the early fourteenth century when about one third of the population was destroyed due to the plague of 1348. Now in modern times, the population of Italy has remained rather constant (Barbiera & Dalla-Zvanna, 2009).
Another factor in which contributed to the early settlement and population of Italy is supported by scientist Jared Diamond. In his book entitled, Guns, Germs and Steel, Diamond explains his theory with supported evidence the reasoning behind Europeans success in the conquering of less advanced countries. At the heart of Diamond’s argument are the benefits of living in a Mediterranean climate zone. Some of these benefits include a moderate climate suitable for growing seeds and other plants and the domestication of animals (Diamond, 1999) . Italy happens to be primarily in the Mediterranean climate zone which means that it experiences dry summers and wet winters. Diamond’s philosophy is supported by the early people of Italy called the Lombards. The Lombards made up approximately five to eight percent of the total population of Italy and lived in northern part of Italy. These people had a successful population due to their ability to grow their own food. Research shows that the peasants of early Italy were better fed than the people in the later Roman era. The primary food source for the Lombards was a variety of vegetables, meats and fish. Because they were able have a steady source of meat, it is evident that they were able to domesticate animals for food. Pieces of pottery have also been found in northern Italy which means that these pots were used to boil or cook food which indicates a spread of boiled foods. Over all, due to this evidence, it is apparent that Italy was a desirable location for many ancient people because of its fertility (Killinger, 2002).
Italy's History on Dipity.
Population Pyramids
Population pyramids depict the population of particular age ranges for both male and female. By looking at these shown (2000, 2013 and 2050) one can calculate the changes the population has went through as well as what the projected population will be. In the years between 2000 and 2013, we see there is an increase in population in the ages forty to fifty-nine. There is also an increase in population in the age range from ninety-five to one hundred. It is evident that women live longer than men because there is a larger population for the oldest age range. In the projected population in the year 2015 there is one again and increase in the life expectancy. This could be due to better medical treatment and improved scientific technologies. There is also less change in the population between the ages of thirty to seventy-nine.Throughout these years, the birthrate of both male and female has stayed rather consistent at approximately 1.4 million (U.S Census Bureau, 2012).
Summarization of Population and Settlement
Italy has been a populating country since approximately 2000 B.C. Ancient people such as the Mycenaeans, Phoenicians, and Greeks migrated to Italy largely because of the Mediterranean climate zone. These civilizations contributed to the culture of Italy and some aspects are still evident even today. The population of Italy has ebbed and flowed due to natural causes such as disease. The Mediterranean climate zone also yields to soil fertility and therefore the production of many different seeds and other vegetation. Because of the production of so many seeds and the domestication of animals, it allows for the population of Italy to flourish.
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