Italy is rightly considered the birthplace of geniuses. For centuries, this small sunny peninsula has impressed the world with outstanding personalities in a variety of fields. Renaissance painters and sculptors are still unsurpassed masters who set the standard of fine arts for centuries to come. Their creations are rightly considered masterpieces of painting and sculpture. The architectural masterpieces of Italian architects still adorn cities around the world.

Travelers and pioneers from Italy discovered uncharted lands, expanding the boundaries of the then known world. Composers wrote operas that have been performed in theaters for centuries. Scientists made discoveries far ahead of their time. Even chefs and fashion designers became the trendsetters of style and taste for centuries!

So the contribution of Italians to world culture, science and art can hardly be overestimated. This small country has much to be proud of, as it has given more geniuses to mankind than many empires of the world.

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1. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an outstanding figure of the Italian Renaissance, scientist, painter, sculptor, architect and engineer. His scientific discoveries were ahead of their time. And his paintings, in particular the famous "Mona Lisa" and the fresco "The Last Supper", became the standard of painting. Leonardo also invented prototypes of the tank, helicopter, and parachute.

2. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) was a Genoese navigator who, seeking a sea route to India on behalf of the Spanish kings, discovered the New World - the American continent. This became the greatest geographical discovery in history. He made 4 voyages to the Americas, discovering Cuba and several Central American countries.

3. Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was a great sculptor, painter, and architect of the Italian Renaissance. His sculptures, such as the David and the Pieta, and the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are considered masterpieces of world art. He also designed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

4. Marco Polo (1254-1324) was a famous Venetian traveler who spent 24 years in China at the court of the Mongol Khan Khubilai. His book of travels along the Silk Road revealed to Europe a previously unknown country called Cathay (China).

5. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) was an outstanding Italian violin virtuoso and a brilliant composer of the Baroque era. His cycle of 4 violin concertos, The Seasons, is one of the most popular works of classical music.

6. Verdi (1813-1901) - the greatest opera composer of Italy, whose operas "Rigoletto", "La Traviata", "Aida", etc. entered the golden fund of world musical culture and are still staged on the stages of theaters around the world.

7. Sophia Loren (born in 1934) - movie diva, legend of Italian and Hollywood cinema, who received 2 Oscar awards for her roles in the films "Black Orpheus" and "Two Women". She was filmed in almost 100 movies. Sophia Loren's image epitomizes the Italian charm and cinematography of the 1960s.