Arts and Literature
Early Venetian paintings were influenced by Byzantine traditions. Then the enduring theme for painting of Venetian culture became Venice itself. Vocal and instrument traditions strengthened in the 18th century when four ospedali (orphanages run by churches) incorporated schools of music.
Religion
Most Venetians are Catholic, but a lot of the Catholic Venetians do not participate on a regular basis. Attendance at services is not high. A small percent of Venetians are Jewish, Protestant, or Muslim.
Economy
Since there is a lot of water and canals in Venice, a lot of jobs there include the water, initially working with local products, like salt and fish. Shipbuilding is also a major industry in Venice. One of Venice's oldest specialties is glassware. The currency in Venice is Euros like a lot of European countries.
Forms of Government
The Italian government is split up into 20 regions, which are then split up into provinces. Venice is in the region Veneto. The mayor of Venice is Giorgi Orsoni. He has been mayor since 2010.
Customs and Traditions
Many festivals in Venice are linked to the sea. One of the big festivals is the Historical Regatta. The Historical Regatta is a boat race. It takes place on the first Sunday of September. It celebrates all regattas that have taken place since the first one, which took place in the 13th century. Another big festival is Vogalonga. Vogalonga means the long row. It is a non-competitive race. Anyone who can handle an oar can participate. Vogalonga takes place on the first Sunday of May.
Language
People in Venice speak Italian. A lot of Venetians speak English, too.
Social Organization
The Venetian population is 263,996. When the children grow-up, many parents help them buy a home or pay for an apartment. Some people find it difficult to find a job after the age of thirty because of age discrimination in the job market. Traditionally, mothers do all of the cooking for their family. Men expect women to take care of them.
Citations: "Historical Regatta Decorations." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 7 May 2013.
"Interior Of The Church, Early 1700's." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 7 May 2013.
"Italy." CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 29 Apr 2013.
“Italy, Venice.” Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.
"Italy, Venice." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.
Morgagni, Alessandra. Venice. Milan: Elemond Editori Associsti, 1997. Print.
"Traditional Glassmaking, Murano, Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 6 May 2013.
"Venetian Courtyard." Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 7 May 2013.
"Venice." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2013.
“Venice." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2013.
“Venice, Italy.” Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.
“Venice." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.
"Interior Of The Church, Early 1700's." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 7 May 2013.
"Italy." CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 29 Apr 2013.
“Italy, Venice.” Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.
"Italy, Venice." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.
Morgagni, Alessandra. Venice. Milan: Elemond Editori Associsti, 1997. Print.
"Traditional Glassmaking, Murano, Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 6 May 2013.
"Venetian Courtyard." Fine Art. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 7 May 2013.
"Venice." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 24 Apr. 2013.
“Venice." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2013.
“Venice, Italy.” Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.
“Venice." Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica Image Quest. Web. 2 May 2013.