Is there actually a typical look?
In my previous post(s) I described some typical traits of people from the Germanic countries. These Germanic countries are all in mid-north Europe and share some typical things. First, they all have a high percentage of blondes. Second, the most common eye colour is blue, green or grey. Germanic countries are for example The Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland and Germany.
Of course, not everyone looks like a ''typical'' person. These Germanic countries also have a lot of people with brown hair. Also black and red hair are no rarity.
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| Hair colour map of Europe |
The southern parts of Europe
When we travel to the south we'll see different people. France, Spain, Portugal and Italy all have different looking people. The most obvious difference is hair colour, followed by eye colour. People from southern parts of Europe are more likely to have brown or black hair. Also, they tend to have more darker eyes (brown in different shades).
What do French look like?
People from France are called French. France is a very large country and internationally very famous for a lot of different things. The capital city is Paris, also known as the city of love. It is actually hard to describe the typical look of a French person because the country is extremely large (in comparison with other European countries). French from the norhtern parts of France are ususally lighter (more blond, lighter eyes).
Hair: (light)brown
Eyes: > 50% brown (<50% light)
Height: average
Most similarities with: depends on region
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| Gaspard Ulliel: French actor |
What do Spaniards look like?
People from Spain are called Spaniards. Spain is also quite a large country all the way in the south of Europe. It's capital city is Madrid. Spanish people have brown eyes and dark coloured hair. Of course, not all Spaniards are typical. There are also Spanish people with blue eyes and blond hair, though less common. In some areas (east coast), light eyes are very rare.
Hair: (dark)brown / black
Eyes: > brown
Height: average
Most similarities with: Portugal
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| Fernando Alonso: Spanish Formula 1 racer |
What do Portuguese look like?
When we go to Spain's neighbouring country, we see Portugal. People from this coutry are called Portuguese and they tend to look a lot like the Spaniards. This is of course no surprise since both countries are neighbours and share a lot of common things. There are differences between Portugal and Spain on some specific domains (political, cultural), but when it comes to the physical looks there are hardly any real differences.
Hair: (dark)brown / black
Eyes: > brown
Height: average
Most similarities with: Spain
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| Paulo Ferreira: Portuguese football player |
What do Italians look like?
Italians are from Italy. This large country is also part of the European latin world. People from Italy speak Italian and the capital city is Rome. The typical look of an Italian is actually very hard to describe since this country is extremely long. People from the north of Italy look very different than those from the southern parts. People from the north are lighter and have lighter eyes, though brown is still most common.
Hair: (dark)brown / black
Eyes: > brown
Height: average
Most similarities with: depends on region
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| Luca Argentero: Italian actor |
I beg to differ when it comes to the statements about Spain. The south of the country (Particularly Andalucia) is brimming with light-eyed people with fair skin. Same with people from the region of Galicia, who are physically very much like the Irish.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, the true Spaniard is quite fair. The stereotypical dark Spaniard (for example, Penelope Cruz) is a result of the Moorish invasions of the Middle Ages and large settlements of Gypsy travelers.
Do you account for the Moorish influence in Southern Iberia?
DeleteI don't know what i look like, some people say spanish but others say italian
ReplyDelete