Italian Americans

expand_more Description

Most Italian Americans trace their ancestry to the southern regions of Italy although earliest migration came mainly from the northern areas of the Italian peninsula. Italian Americans settled throughout the United States. Many of the immigrants had little sense of an "Italian" identity, finding their identity in their hometown or region. Little Italies were found in New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and New Orleans. At the height of their immigration, most were unskilled workers who worked on the railroads, in clothing shops, construction projects, shipyards, or on fishing boats. Eventually, they moved into all occupations. Italian Americans have rapidly assimilated into American culture and they speak English.

Identifier

Region

• North America

Subregion

• Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Subsistence Type

• commercial economy

Countries

• United States