The South Slavs refer to a distinct ethnic group that primarily inhabits the southern regions of Central and Eastern Europe. Comprising various subgroups, including the Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bosniaks, Montenegrins, and Macedonians, the South Slavs share common linguistic, historical, and cultural roots. They are part of the broader Slavic ethnic group, which also includes the East Slavs (Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians) and West Slavs (Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, and others).
The South Slavs predominantly reside in the Balkan Peninsula, with significant populations also found in neighboring regions. The geographical distribution of this ethnic group encompasses countries such as Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and parts of Albania, Bulgaria, and Romania.
These diverse peoples of South Slav origins have experienced intricate historical developments, marked by both cooperation and conflicts. They have been influenced by different major cultural streams in the region, such as Byzantine, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian, which have shaped their religious, linguistic, and social characteristics.
Language-wise, the South Slavs speak related dialects of the South Slavic branch of the Slavic languages. Based on the specific subgroup, the languages vary but are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. The most widely spoken language among the South Slavs is Serbian, followed by Croatian and Bosnian.
In summary, the South Slavs are a distinct ethnic group located primarily in the southern regions of Central and Eastern Europe, sharing linguistic and cultural characteristics, including various subgroups such as Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bosniaks, Montenegrins, and Macedonians.
