Italians (Italian: Italiani, pronounced [itaˈljaːni]) are the citizens and nationals of Italy and the primarily Romance-speaking ethnic group native to the Italian geographical region and its neighboring insular territories. Italians share a common culture, history, ancestry and language. They are the heirs of three of the most important ancient civilizations: the Greek one which fluorished in Magna Graecia (south Italy), the Etruscan one and the Roman one, which assimilated the former two. Legally, Italian nationals are citizens of Italy, regardless of ancestry or nation of residence (in effect, however, Italian nationality is largely based on jus sanguinis) and may be distinguished from ethnic Italians in general or from people of Italian descent without Italian citizenship and ethnic It