Italian cuisine varies widely by region due to Italy's historical divisions. The Roman Empire first established a foundation for Italian cuisine over 2000 years ago by importing foods from across their empire. After the fall of Rome, individual city-states and regions developed their own culinary traditions based on local ingredients. Today, Italian cuisine is characterized by fresh, seasonal ingredients, simplicity in cooking methods, and regional specialties. The north of Italy is known for dishes like risotto and lasagna, while the south is famous for pizza, pasta, and seafood prepared with olive oil and tomatoes.