Albania: Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5%Andorra: Andorran 49%, Spanish 24.6%, Portuguese 14.3%, French 3.9%, other 8.2% Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosniak 50.1%, Serb 30.8%, Croat 15.4%, other 2.7%, not declared/no answer 1% Croatia: Croat 90.4%, Serb 4.4%, other 4.4% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Roma), unspecified 0.8% Greece: Greek 93%, other (foreign citizens) 7% Italy:Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south) Malta: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) Montenegro: Montenegrin 45%, Serbian 28.7%, Bosniak 8.7%, Albanian 4.9%, Muslim 3.3%, Roma 1%, Croat 1%, other 2.6%, unspecified 4.9% Portugal: homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal San Marino: Sammarinese, Italian Serbia: Serb 83.3%, Hungarian 3.5%, Romany 2.1%, Bosniak 2%, other 5.7%, undeclared or unknown 3.4% Slovenia: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% Spain: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2%
Most of the countries’ majority population is their native population, like in Italy, the Italians or in Albania, the Albanians. There are many ethnic conflicts in Southern Europe like the Czech, Serbians, Hungarian and Slav due to their different cultures and religions. There also have been conflicts between Hungary and Romania of the Hungarian minority in Translyvania.
Religions
Albania
Albanian Orthodox - 20%
Christianity
Roman Catholicism - 10%
Islam - 70%
Andorra
Christianity
Roman Catholicism - 90.1%
Other
Bosnia
Christianity
Orthodox Christianity - 31%
Roman Catholicism - 15%
Islam - 40%
Other - 14%
Croatia
Christianity
Roman Catholism - 88%
Orthodox Christianity - 4%
Islam
None - 5%
Other - 2%
Greece
Christianity
Eastern Orthodox
Greek Orthodox - 98%
Islam - 1%
Other - 1%
Italy
Christianity
Roman Catholicism - 88%
Other
Malta
Christianity
Roman Catholicism - 98%
Other - 2%
Macedonia
Christianity
Eastern Orthodox
Macedonian Orthodox - 32%
Islam - 17%
Other - 51
Montenegro
Christianity
Orthodox Christianity - 74.24%
Roman Catholicism - 3.54%
Islam - 17.74%
other - 4.48%
Portugal
Christianity
Roman Catholicism - 94%
Other - 6%
San Marino
Christianity
Roman Catholicism - 97%
Other - 3%
Serbia
Christianity
Orthodox Christianity - 84.59%
Roman Catholicism - 4.97%
Islam - 3.1%
Other - 7.34%
Slovenia
Christianity
Catholicism - 58%
Orthodox Christianity - 2%
Islam - 2%
None - 10%
Other - 1%
Spain
Christianity
Roman Catholicism - 94%
Other - 6%
The three main religions practiced in Southern Europe are: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, and Islam. The most practiced religion is Roman Catholicism and the second most popular religion is Eastern Orthodox, both of which are branches under Christianity. Religion is pretty much incorporated in everyday life hence the small 1% that said they didn't practice any sort of religion.
Christianity was originally one of the two religions of the Roman Empire, the longest lasting empire on Earth. Christians and Jews had many conflicts to which Christianity emerged victorious. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Christianity continue to flourish in the countries created due to the incident, in this case, it created the all countries in Southern Europe, just not all at once. Therefore most of the countries in Southern Europe practice some sort of Christianity whether it be Roman Catholicism or other branches. Islam is the fastest growing religion on Earth hence it makes sense being so widespread in Southern Europe.
LANGUAGES
Major and Minor Languages
Albania
Albanian82.6%
Greek0.9%
Other1%
Unspecified15.5%
Andorra
Catalan73%
French6%
Multilingual60%
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnian52.9%
Serbian30.8%
Croatian14.6%
Other1.6%
Unspecified0.2%
Croatia
Croatian95.6%
Serbian1.2%
Other3%
Unspecified0.2%
Greece
Greek99%
Other1%
Italy
Italian93%
Sardinian1.7%
Catalan0.07%
Other5.2%
Malta
Maltese90.1%
English6%
Multilingual3%
Other0,9%
Montenegro
Serbian 42.9%
Montenegrin 37%
Bosnian 5.3%
Albanian 5.3%
Serbo-Croat 2%
Other 3.5%
Unspecified 4%
Portugal
Portuguese 95.6
English 14.87%
French 10.39%
Spanish 6.98%
San Marino
Italian
Serbia
Serbian 88.1%
Hungarian 3.4%
Bosnian 1.9%
Romany 1.4%
Other 5.7%
Unspecified 3.4%
Slovenia
Slovenian 91.1%
Serbo-Croatian 4.5%
Other or Unspecified 4.4%
Spain
Castilian Spanish 74%
Catalan 17%
Glacian 7%
Besque 2%
Arnese less that 5,000 speakers
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Macedonian 64.2%
Albanian 25.2%
Turkish 3.5%
Roma 1.9%
Serbian 1.2%
Other 1.8%
Phrases
Southern Europe has many people moving around, shown by the 24 different languages in the country. The region also have people moving because there are languages from countries in different countries. However, Greece has the most even numbers of 99% of people speaking greek and 1% of people speaking other languages.
CULTURAL DO'S AND DON'TS
Spain Do’s
Expect a lot of smoking as it is a norm in Spain
Respect locals’ beliefs whether it being smoking, superstitions, etc.
Respect the locals as they might be used to tourists but they prefer to go about their daily routines instead
Keep track of belongings at all times due to amount of pickpockets targeting tourists
Be patient/relax as the Spanish have a relaxed lifestyle and sense of time
Don’t’s
Dally around tourist traps/attractions as pickpockets also make their money there and may not show the authenticity of that country
Keep wallets in pockets or purses slung over shoulders
Walk alone in the dark, this is when thieves thrive
Do drugs or bring them as it is heavily punished in Spain for possession
Wear shorts in public, unless it is at a beach or something of a similar setting
Random Facts
Madrid is at the center of Spain and Puetra del Sol is the literal center of Spain
Spain is home to La Tomatina, the largest tomato fight in the world
Spain was neutral in both world wars
Same-sex marriage was legalized on July 3, 2005
Spain is the number 1 producer of olive oil
Italy Do’s
Dress up or dress modestly as there are some areas that have dress codes and Italians take pride in their appearances
Use public transportation as it is faster and the drivers know their way around the city
Shake hands as a greeting
Beware of children around bus and train stations because they might be trained to steal
Carry enough cash on you for the day, leave rest at hotel
Don’t’s
Eat with hands, even fruit
Walk alone in the dark because again thieves
Point with both pinkie and index finger as it is seen to be a rude gesture
Turn right on a red light when driving because that is illegal
Go on long distance overnight train journeys due to groups of thieves
Random Facts
Around 4/5 of Italy is made up of either hills or mountains
Food purists gave out free spaghetti outside of a McDonald’s when it first opened in 1986
Italy hosted the Olympics 3 times
There was a chess match that used humans as pieces in 1454 and the winner would receive a beautiful girl’s hand in marriage
Tourism makes up around 63% of Italy’s national income
Croatia Do’s
Carry enough cash for the day as some stores do not accept card
Bring the necessary supplies that you’ll need on the trip such as sunscreen, beach towels, etc.
Eat local food as it gives more of an authentic experience
Try local coffee as Croatians pride themselves on coffee
Avoid making loud noises between 2pm - 5pm as it is naptime, or siesta, a part of local tradition
Don’t’s
Call Croatia Yugoslavia
Visit in August as that is busy season where everything is more expensive and crowded
Island hop without planning as some ferries do not run on a regular basis
Expect everyone, including hotel staff, to understand English
Go shoeless on the beach as it is potentially dangerous
Random Facts
Croatia is home to Dalmatians
There are 1246 islands in Croatia
Neckties were invented in Croatia
The smallest town in the world is called Hum and it is located in Croatia
The largest truffle was found in Croatia
Greece Do’s
Arrive around 30 minutes late to dinner unless told otherwise
Relax/be patient as Greeks have a more relax sense of time
Respect the locals’ superstitions and religious beliefs
Dress a bit more conservatively in rural and formal areas
Bring small gift for host if eating in or offer to pay for dinner if eating out
Don’t’s
Talk about politics
Be distant as Greeks are used to closer contact compared to others
Okay sign with thumb and index finger together is rude
Hand forward with palm out (The “talk to the hand” gesture) is rude as well
Ask someone in public to stop smoking as it is allowed in many areas
Random Facts
Voting is required for every citizen above 18, not a choice
Around 80% of Greece are mountains
All Greek men have served in some branch of military from 18 months to a year
Greece is the main producer of sea sponges
People do not celebrate their birthdays, but rather the birthday’s of the Saint they were named after
Portugal Do’s
Dress conservatively as the Portuguese usually wear dresses or jacket and tie
Give people around arm’s length of personal space while talking
Open gift when received as it is seemed to polite
Shake hands as a greeting and a parting
Go to Portugal diet-free
Don’t’s
Point or use too many gestures while conversing as it is seem to be rude
Give someone 13 flowers or red flowers as the number is considered unlucky and the color is more reserved for one’s lover
Sit in a social situation unless told as there may be a seating arrangement
Arrive later than 15 minutes to a dinner; 30 minutes - 1 hour is acceptable for large gatherings/parties
Give wine to dinner host unless you know their preferred wine
Random Facts
Portugal is the oldest European country
The oldest bookstore is in the capital of Portugal
Portugal has the longest European bridge
England and Portugal have the oldest diplomatic relationship in the world
Portugal is the main producer of corks
CULTURE
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