The term "Latins" refers to a group of people who are native speakers of a Romance language, derived from Latin. Primarily used to describe individuals from the Latin-speaking regions of Europe, the term encompasses various nationalities including Italians, Spaniards, French, Portuguese, and Romanians. Spaniards, in particular, are sometimes referred to as "Iberian Latins," as the Latin language had a significant influence on the formation of the Spanish language.
The Latins are considered descendants of the ancient Romans, who spoke Latin as their native tongue. Latin gradually evolved over time into multiple distinct Romance languages, but the common thread among them is their shared Latin origin. Due to historical and cultural ties, the aforementioned nationalities are typically categorized as Latins.
Furthermore, the term "Latin" can also refer to the peoples of Latin America, which comprises countries where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French. The countries of Latin America were colonized by various European powers, including Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy, leading to the adoption and influence of Romance languages in these regions.
In summary, "Latins" primarily refers to individuals from Europe who speak Romance languages originating from Latin, including Italians, Spaniards, French, Portuguese, and Romanians. Additionally, the term can also encompass the peoples of Latin America, whose languages share a common Latin heritage.
