Description:
For this assignment we had to choose somewhere that is not in the United States and research that place. then we had to partner up with a classmate and compare and contrast the two locations we chose.
Sicily, Italy
Overview: Sicily, Italy is an island located in the central Mediterranean Sea. It is the largest and most populated island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily has a unique culture in arts, music, cuisine, and architecture. Sicily forms an autonomous region of Italy, which means Sicily has the right and power to a self-government. The island had typical mediterranean climate, hot and dry summers, and cool and wet winters. I chose Sicily because my dad's side of the family is from there, and I want to learn more about this island, in hopes of visiting someday.
Population: As of 2024, the population is 4.75 million people
Demographics: Sicily has one of the most negative net migration rates among other regions in Italy. Immigration to the island is very low compared to other regions because workers head to northern Italy because there are more job opportunities.
Languages spoken: The primary language is Sicilian. Sicilian and Italian are two different languages. Most Sicilians speak Italian but use dialetto, which is Sicilian dialect, from their hometowns.
Climate: The island has typical mediterranean climate, hot and dry summers, and cool and wet winters.
Technology usage/culture: Technology is being used in many different innovative ways. Sicily is working to become a smart city, which means they are utilizing technology to manage public services efficiently. Sicily is focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship to enhance its competitiveness in the technology area.
Sicily’s digital divide: there isn't too much of a digital divide in Sicily, the island as a whole is working towards becoming a smart city, so more access to technology for everyone.
Overview: Rio De Janeiro is a seaside city located in Brazil. Brazil is located in South America, along the eastern side of the continent. Rio is famous for its beautiful beaches, as well as the Christ the redeemer statue located on top of the Corcovado Mountain. The city of Rio De Janeiro holds a lot of history as well as culture which is very interesting to me.
Population: As of 2025, the population of this city is 13,923,000 people.
Demographics: The city of Rio is a significantly diverse area, with mixed race and white individuals.
Languages spoken: The primary language of Brazil is Portuguese, but because this is such a populated city, many other languages can be spoken as well.
Climate: Rio has a tropical savanna climate; these are warm temperatures year-round and even warmer summers.
Technology usage/ culture: Technology usage in Rio has rapidly increased over the years because of high tourism rates. The city wants to make tourists experiences more enjoyable and attractive.
Rio’s digital divide: The digital divide in Rio is a significant issue right now. There is a divide between wealthy and poor areas. With a lot of people not being able to access the internet.
Lessons learned:
this project was a cool learning experience and taught me a lot of information about where my family is from. It was really cool to research Sicily and then compare it with my classmate.