Italy also has a small number of Jews . FOOD Italian food is very popular throughout the world. Pasta comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and is served with many different types of sauce. Pizza also comes in different varieties. With both pasta sauces and pizza the basic ingredients are tomatoes, herbs and cheese.
Italian desserts are also popular in many countries.
Other well-known Italian desserts are zabaglione and tiramisu. Italian-style cappuccino and espresso coffee is drunk in many countries and Italian wines are popular worldwide. The Etruscans in Central Italy are of unknown origin. Rome, on the banks of the River Tiber, grew in power and conquered her neighbours. The Roman kings were ejected early on and the city became a republic, ruled by elected officials.