Visitors are flocking to the city to witness the wonderful and old seas, towns, and architecture. Venice is an archipelago, which means it is made up of several small islands. It is made up of several arid islands with sandy beaches and small lakes or lagoons. The climate is generally humid subtropical but with very hot summers and mild winters. The city has been described as the living museum because of the many buildings and sites that have been preserved over the years. These include churches, monasteries, and museums. There are also many bridges across the canals of Venice that connect one island to another. Some of these bridges are large enough for two vehicles to pass each other while others are small enough to walk across. The people of Venice have a reputation for being honest and hardworking. Many businesses in the city are family-owned and have been this way for generations. There are also many foreign companies with offices in Venice. They employ many locals who work in their offices during the day but go home at night to live with their families as well. Venice has a rich history dating back more than 1000 years. It was originally built as eight small islands connected by short bridges.