Meridionali

Meridionali is the Italian demonym for residents of Southern Italy. The term, derived from meridione meaning “south,” is commonly used to distinguish people from the Mezzogiorno from those in Northern Italy (the Settentrionale). It can function as both a plural noun and an adjective describing people, culture, or issues associated with the southern regions.

Geographically, the Mezzogiorno traditionally includes the regions of Abruzzo, Apulia (Puglia), Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Sicily, and Sardinia. The exact boundaries have varied over time, and some classifications of southern Italy are broader or narrower depending on historical and political contexts. The concept is as much about regional identity as it is about geography.

Historically, Meridionali has been central to discussions of Italy’s development and disparities. After unification in the 19th century, the South lagged economically behind the industrializing North, a gap that persisted into the postwar era. Government programs aimed at balancing development, such as the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno in the mid-20th century, sought to promote investment and modernization. Large-scale internal migration and emigration abroad shaped the demographic and cultural landscape of the region.

Culturally, the Meridionali are characterized by a wide diversity of traditions, dialects, and cuisines reflecting the distinct regional histories of the Mezzogiorno. The area is home to numerous UNESCO sites, rich religious and culinary traditions, and a strong sense of regional identity. In contemporary discourse, Meridionali remains a neutral geographic and ethnolinguistic term, though discussions often address regional disparities and identity.