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.