For the record, many Italians don't like air conditioning. They think it's bad, and even dangerous, for your body to have to rapidly adjust between the heat and the cold.
Climate Variability: Many parts of Europe experience milder summers compared to regions like the southern United States. Consequently, air conditioning is less of a necessity. Instead, Europeans often rely on natural ventilation and architectural features designed to keep homes cool.
Another aspect of Italian homes that is different from American homes is the use of air conditioning and heating. Because the buildings are so old in Italy, most do not have air conditioning; in the summer months, windows are opened to get air circulating.
The Italian climate is influenced by the large body of water of the Mediterranean Seas that surrounds Italy on every side except the north. These seas constitute a reservoir of heat and humidity for Italy.
ENEA suggests 14 simple actions you can take this summer to save on air conditioning, increasingly widespread in Italian homes. According to an ISTAT survey, 48.8% of families have air conditioning, rising to 51.2% in the South (49.1% in the North and 44.2% in the Center).
For the record, many Italians don't like air conditioning. They think it's bad, and even dangerous, for your body to have to rapidly adjust between the heat and the cold.
Over 15.7 million people in the United States identify themselves as Italian Americans. They constitute nearly six percent (6%) of the U.S. population. Italian Americans are the nation's fourth largest European ancestry group after the Germans, Irish and English.
The most extreme weather on Earth
SICILY, Italy – It's official. There is a new record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Continental Europe. The World Meteorological Organization recently certified that Syracuse on the Italian island of Sicily hit 119.8 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius) on Aug.
Stay Hydrated
You will find free and open fountains serving perfectly safe water in most major city in Italy. Water is essential for your body to stay cool when the weather is scorching. You should drink it even if you don't feel thirsty to help your body keep its temperature low.
A single air conditioning unit (split or portable) does not have a particularly high cost (an average cost of say Euro 400 to 1,000), to which must be added the cost of a technical report on the energy saving characteristics.
Italy in Summer can be more tolerable depending on your choice of destination. Southern regions are generally warmer than the North. Some regions in the North, like Dolomite, Alps, and Apennine mountains, are generally colder, especially at night.
China. China is the world's leading user of air conditioning with approximately 569 million units in use countrywide. The country's formidable energy infrastructure, along with rising affordability, has helped to fuel the widespread use of cooling systems.
Most German homes do not have air conditioning and while there are many factors to consider, primarily: air conditioning is highly inefficient; it's expensive to install and operate; it's not cost effective, and it's only really beneficial for a few weeks out of each summer.
One explanation I've heard elsewhere, and which may hold some truth, is that Europeans see ice as taking up valuable real estate in the glass, so that they would feel cheated if they got too much ice and too little beverage.
Too much AC use can lead to loss of moisture from skin, hair, nose and throat. It can basically dry out the mucus membranes which then in turn lose their ability to protect you from harmful bacteria and viruses.
Electricity is expensive in Italy, so hotels try to minimize the use of air conditioning. They may not turn it on until a specific date in late spring, even if temperatures are unseasonally high beforehand.
July is the hottest month of the year in Rome, although August is nearly as hot, with average temperatures of 25°C (77°F). Due to the high humidity, visiting the city during these months can be a little stifling. In August, many shops close and many locals leave on vacation.
Avoid bright colors and opt for more neutral or muted tones. Italians generally dress up a bit more than casual tourists, so bring some stylish outfits. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring, but leave the flip-flops for the beach.
The main reason so much of Italy in August is closed is Ferragosto, a holiday on August 15th. Ferragosto has ancient Roman roots and celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It's a time for Italians to take a break from work and enjoy the summer with family and friends.
Italian is the official language of Italy, and 93% of population are native Italian speakers. Around 50% of population speak a regional dialect as mother tongue.
It's mountainous in parts and flat and dry in others, so there are similarities and differences in weather all around the country. Yes, a lot of the country does fit the classic Mediterranean brief, but some areas, especially in the north, see humid summers with thunderstorms, and thick snowfall in winter.
Although always predominantly and formally considered white within the United States, throughout the majority of American history Italians' whiteness was often brought under scrutiny.
New York City is home to the largest Italian-American population in North America and third largest Italian population outside of Italy, according to the 2000 census. See also Italians in New York City for more info.
In fact, the Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in the entire world, not just China, with 19% of the world's population identifying as Han. The Han's reach even spans outside of China, being the majority ethnic group in Singapore as well.