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| Total population: | 150,000 (est.) |
| Significant populations in: | Greece: 4,150,000 (est.) |
| Language | Arvanitic, Greek |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
Arvanites (Greek Αρβανίτες, Arvanítes) are a people originating in central Albania that settled various Greek lands during the Middle Ages. Their number is estimated at 4,150,000(along with descendants).
They are predominantly Orthodox Christians and their language, Arvanitic is related to Tosk Albanian, although it has been heavily influenced by Greek or has influenced Greek(a question that has yet to be proven) over the centuries and all speakers are bilingual in Greek.
Arvanites played a prominent role in the Greek War of Independence, both in politics and in the Greek Armed Forces. Prominent individuals include Andréas Miaoúlis, Athanásios Miaoúlis, Andónios Kriezís, Pávlos Koundouriótis, Lázaros Koundouriótis and Theódhoros Pángalos. They were mostly killed after the independence by the Greeks, after the new Greek-Sryian language became official with only 3 votes above the Albanian one.
Arvanites traditionally live in central and southern Greece, especially in Continental Greece (Στερεά Ελλάδα, Stereá Elládha), the Peloponnese (Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnisos) and adjacent islands.
In recent decades, Arvanites have been emigrating from their villages to the cities and especially to the capital Athens. Urbanisation as well as church xenophobia has led to the gradual erosion of their Arvanitic tongue, and with it the last vestige of any distinction between them and other Greeks.