Italians

Quick Facts: Who was Italians?

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Italians

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Ethnic group native to the Italian geographical region, with deep roots in Italic peoples.

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Origins & Early Life

Italians (Italian: italiani, pronounced [itaˈljaːni]) are an ethnic group and nation native to the Italian geographical region. Italians share a common culture, history, ancestry and language. Their ancestors, differing regionally, include the various Italic peoples, notably among them the ancient Romans, who helped create and evolve the Italian identity. The Latin equivalent of the term Italian had been in use for natives of the geographical region since antiquity. Ethnic Italians (a group which includes people of Italian descent without Italian citizenship) can be distinguished from Italian nationals, who are citizens of Italy regardless of ancestry or nation of residence.

Career & Major Achievements

The majority of Italian nationals are native speakers of the country's official language, Standard Italian, a Romance language of the Indo-European language family that evolved from the Vulgar Latin. However, many of them also speak a regional or minority language native to Italy, the existence of which predates the national language of Standard Italian. (According to UNESCO, there are approximately 30 languages native to Italy, although many are often incorrectly referred to as "Italian dialects".) In addition to the approximately 55 million Italians living in Italy (91% of the Italian national population), Italian-speaking groups are found in neighboring nations, including Switzerland, France, the regions of Istria and Dalmatia, and the entire population of San Marino. Due to the wide-ranging diaspora of Italians following Italian unification, World War I, and World War II, over 5 million Italian citizens live outside of Italy and over 80 million people around the world claim full or partial Italian ancestry. The largest Italian diaspora communities are found in Brazil (15% of Brazilians), Argentina (60% of Argentinians), the United States, and Canada.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Italians have influenced and contributed to fields like arts and music, science, technology, fashion, cinema, cuisine, restaurants, sports, jurisprudence, banking and business. Furthermore, Italian people are generally known for their attachment to their locale, expressed in the form of either regionalism or municipalism. The Latin name "Italia" may have been borrowed via Greek from the Oscan Víteliú ("land of calves"). Accounts by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Aristotle, and Thucydides reference this etymology, together with the legend that Italy was named after legendary King Italus. According to Antiochus of Syracuse, the Greeks initially used the term Italy to refer only to the southern portion of the Bruttium peninsula (corresponding to parts of the modern provinces of Reggio, Catanzaro, and Vibo Valentia); however, over time, the Greeks gradually came to apply the name "Italia" to a larger region including Lucania and Calabria.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Italians

True or False: “The term 'Italian' was used by the Greeks exclusively to refer to the southern portion of the Bruttium peninsula throughout antiquity.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While initially restricted, the Greeks gradually expanded the use of 'Italia' to cover a much larger region encompassing Lucania and Calabria.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Italo Calvino — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Master of the fantastic, Calvino shaped modern literature with playful, labyrinthine narratives.
• Italo-Ethiopian War of 1887–1889 — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Undeclared war (1887–1889) between Italy and Ethiopia over colonial ambitions.
• Italo Svevo — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneer of the psychological novel in Italy, known for 'Zeno's Conscience'.
• Italo-Turkish War — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The 1911–1912 conflict between Italy and the Ottoman Empire over North African territories.
• Italy — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A nation in Southern and Western Europe, famed for its history and geography.
• Itamar Franco — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Brazilian politician who served as the 33rd President of Brazil (1992-1995).

Frequently Asked Questions about Italians