Ligurian

Ligurian is a term used to refer to things associated with Liguria, a coastal region of northwestern Italy, as well as to the historic Ligurians and to the Ligurian language. In common usage it can denote residents of Liguria (the Ligurians), the regional culture, or linguistic varieties found there and in nearby areas.

Ligurian also designates the Ligurian language, a Romance language traditionally spoken in Liguria and in parts of neighboring regions. It forms part of the Gallo-Italic group of Western Romance languages and includes several dialects, the most prominent being Genoese. Mutual intelligibility with Standard Italian varies by dialect and speaker. The language has a long literary and oral tradition but today exists alongside Italian, with ongoing efforts to preserve regional speech forms.

Historically, the Ligurians were an ancient population inhabiting the Ligurian coast before and during Roman times. Their presence shaped the early cultural and commercial development of the region, especially through Genoa and other coastal centers. Over the centuries, Liguria became a hub of maritime trade and republican rule, influencing its identity and language.

The Liguria region occupies a narrow stretch of coastline along the Ligurian Sea, bordered by France to the west and by the Italian regions of Piedmont and Tuscany to the north and east. It is known for rugged terrain, dense coastal towns, and notable cities such as Genoa, La Spezia, Savona, and Imperia. The Ligurian Sea forms part of the central Mediterranean and supports major ports, tourism, and agriculture, including iconic pesto Genovese cuisine.