Italian speaking population
Italian is the native language of around 70 million people in Italy. Apart from these, another 50 million Italian speakers are spread throughout different countries around the world. These countries include: Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, San Marino, Australia, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Monaco, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Venezuela, Uruguay, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Italian speaking population in the United States of America
The United States has the third largest Italian speaking population in the world, amounting to nearly 20 million people, according to a recent survey. Historians observe that small Italian speaking populations existed in United States from the seventeenth century. In the twentieth century the Italians migrated in large groups, and as a result, the US population of Italian speakers crossed the two million mark during this period.
Today, the Italian speaking population has grown to ten times its past size. Though the earlier Italians in United States were mostly poor farmers staying in slums, with education and consistent hard work, the latest generations have acquired some of the influential positions in public and private organization in diverse fields. They are considered as one of the first five ethnic groups in United States and play an important role in American politics.
The different locations in United States where this Italian speaking population is found in large groups include: Boston, Chicago, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Miami, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, San Francisco, Ohio, Philadelphia and Pittsburg.
Italian speaking population in Brazil
Outside Italy, the largest Italian speaking population settled in Brazil. There are nearly 30 million Italian speakers in Brazil. Before the nineteenth century, there were some immigrants from the region where modern united Italy stands, but due to the separate provinces that existed at the time, they were uncertain about their nationality. The main Italian speaking population in Brazil came from Italy in the later part of the nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth century.
The highest concentrations of Italian speakers are settled in areas like: Sao Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais and Parana. Sao Paulo boasts the highest Italian population in Brazil.
Like those who traveled to the United States, the Italian immigrants who relocated to Brazil have actively participated in the development of the country. There have been several Italians who have created wealth from agriculture, industry and by investing money wisely. Brazil has some famous industrialists like Andrea Matarazzo who are Italian by ethnicity.