Origins & History
Southern Europeans, sometimes called "Latin" peoples, are groups whose languages descend from Latin and whose historical roots lie in the Roman world. This category includes Italians, Spanish, Portuguese, French (partially), Romanians, and related smaller groups such as Catalans, Occitans, and Sardinians. Their shared cultural traditions were shaped by the Roman Empire, Catholic Christianity, and Mediterranean commerce.
Geographic Distribution
Southern European populations number approximately 200 million people across Italy (around 60 million), Spain (around 47 million), Portugal (around 10 million), and Romania (around 19 million), with related populations across southern France, southern Switzerland, and Mediterranean islands.
Diaspora & Migration
The Southern European diaspora is one of the most extensive in modern history, particularly through 19th and 20th century emigration to the Americas. Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese descendants form major populations in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Romanian communities are more recent, concentrated in Italy, Spain, and Germany.
About This Map
This map reflects global perceptions of Southern European or "Latin" populations. Results may highlight both the countries of origin and the extensive Latin American and other diaspora regions.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Southern Europeans (Latins) populations live.