The
Slovenes ( ), or
Slovenians, are a
South Slavic ethnic group living in historical
Slovene lands, surrounded by German-speaking Austrians to the north, Italian-speaking and
Friulan-speaking neighbours to the west, a Hungarian-speaking population to the northeast, and Slavic Croatian-speakers to the south and southeast. The language the Slovenes speak is
Slovene, a
South Slavic language with significant similarities to the
West Slavic languages. The Slovenes live mainly in
Slovenia, and as a minority in
Austria,
Hungary,
Croatia, and
Italy, where they are indigenous. Expatriates live mainly in other European countries, and in the United States, Canada, Argentina and Australia.
