Little Italy

Little Italy usually refers to an ethnic neighborhood whose residents are primarily Italian immigrants and their progeny. These districts characterize any country that received large waves of newcomers [Page 1039]from Italy. They are numerous, especially in the United States, because the country was long the leading destination for Italian expatriates. Prominent examples are Mulberry Street in New York City, South Philadelphia, Boston’s North End, and the North Beach in San Francisco. Such enclaves appeared in the late 19th century, as the arrival of Italians gained momentum, and underwent a decline after World War II. They have managed to survive despite the end of mass immigration from Italy and the assimilation of Italian Americans. Little Italy is the epitome of the Italian presence in a foreign ...