CULTURE EXPLORATION PROJECT

Jacob SolomonMr. BunnerSociologyPeriod 6February 29, 2012

Holy See(Vatican City)

Location

Vatican City is located inside Rome, Italy

Vatican City is an independent city state

Information

In Vatican City they speak Italian, Latin, French, and other various languages.

Population: 836 Major religion is Roman Catholic One subculture is noticeable which is

the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps, they are a little out of place.

The Vatican flag

The meaning of the flag: In heraldry, yellow and white represent the metals, gold and silver, which are not placed side by side. Exception is made in here because gold and silver also represent the keys of St. Peter.

History of the flag: It was introduced in 1825 but wasn’t adopted until 1929 after the Vatican gained it’s independence from Italy.

Interesting facts: Although the flags are seen as different sizes the official proportions are 1:1, which makes the flag square shaped.

Norms, Beliefs, and/or Values The Vatican is 100% Roman Catholic, so

there is a high belief in Heaven and Hell and in just rewards or punishments for one’s actions. There is a belief in a supreme triune God.

Some of the values of the Vatican is the church and the special buildings and shrines.

One main value is St. Peter’s basilica which is the site where St. Peter is buried but it is built over from the original site.

Economy

Vatican City is financially supported by a variety of sources, including investments, real estate, income, and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions. These help fund the Vatican bureaucracy, diplomatic missions, and media outlets.

The separate Vatican City budget, museums and post offices, is supported by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos.

Economy(cont.)

Essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside of the Vatican.

The Vatican’s budget is $350 million. Electricity is supplied by Italy but a

small portion is generated from solar panels.

Euros per US dollar is 0.7107

History

The Vatican City State is the survivor of the papal states that in 1859 comprised an area of some 17,000 square miles.

During the struggle for Italian unification most of this area became part of Italy.

By an Italian law in of May 13, 1871, the temporal power of the pope was abrogated.

The Lateran Treaty of February 11, 1929, between the Vatican and the kingdom of Italy, established the Holy See.

Modern Conflicts

I searched for information and asked my mother if there was any current conflicts in Vatican City and there was little to none except for the general such as health.

Likes and Dislikes

Likes Dislikes

I think it’s museums and St. Peter’s basilica is beautiful.

I dislike the fact that the Vatican is such a small city.

Would I like to live in this Country?

Vatican City is really nice and interesting but it seems like there is not enough living space inside. I am also very accustomed to my own living ways and not sure if American habits are the same as the Vatican’s. In conclusion I would probably not want to live here but I would like to visit.

Brazil

Location

Brazil is located in South America It’s capital is currently Brasilia

Information

The official and most widely spoken language is Portuguese. Less common languages include Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, and English.

Population: 205,716,890 Major religion is Roman Catholic(73.6%) and

other religions include Protestant(15.4%), Spiritualist(1.3%), Voodoo(0.3%), other(1.8%), unspecified(0.2%), and none(7.4%)

Subcultures are visible by just the language that is spoken and what their surrounding countries are.

The Brazilian Flag

The green field and the yellow rhombus from the previous flag were preserved, the green and yellow colors are representing the Braganza-Habsburg dynasty.

A blue circle with 27 white 5-pointed stars replaced the arms of the Empire of Brazil. The stars position in the flag reflect the sky over Rio de Janerio on November 15, 1889 and the represent the union’s federal units.

The motto “Ordem e Progreeso” ( Order and Progress) is inspired by Auguste Comte’s motto of positivism: Love as a principle and order as the basis; progress as the goal.

Norms, Beliefs, and/or Values

Norms: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/brazil-country-profile.html for the norms visit this website and scroll down

Beliefs: Major beliefs come into with religion and Portuguese “ways”

Values: One value they have is sports like soccer. They also value family.

Economy

GDP purchasing power: $2.284 trillion

Labor force: 104.3 million people Unemployment rate: 6.1% Reals(BRL) per US dollar: 1.602

History

The Portuguese were the first European settlers to arrive in this area.

Sugar came to Brazil soon after they settled which also brought slaves.

The interior of Brazil started to be explored in the 1690s.

In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte closed in on the Portugal capital, the Prince shipped himself to Brazil.

History(cont.)

In the 19th century coffee took the spot of sugar and became the major export from Brazil.

The boom of coffee brought European settlers to Brazil.

In 1989, the country enjoyed its first democratic election in about three decades.

Current Conflicts

One big conflict in Brazil right now is the Cotton Conflict which is taxing of cotton.

Other conflicts in terrorism and other harsh economic problems.

Likes and Dislikes

Likes Dislikes

I like Rio de Janerio. I like the beaches and Cristo Rendentor statue that stands and looks over Rio.

I dislike the poverty and the housing that people have to go through everyday of their lives.

Would I like the live in this country?

Brazil is a beautiful place but it isn’t the right place for me to live due to poverty and the dirtiness of the place. I would, however, like to visit the beautiful city of Rio de Janerio, especially during Carnival.

Work Cited

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108136.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/vt.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Brazil