Why do most Italians have a fair complexion when Italy is so close to the border?

Question

I mean it's basically in the same latitude and longitude as India but most Indians are dark skinned and most Italians are fair complexion.

Answer 1

Most of Italy is between 40-45 Degrees North Latitude, which compares to the same region as NYC, to Montreal, Canada (4 Seasons)...

India is between 10-30 Degrees North Latitude. This is Tropical & Sub-Tropical (Usually with 2 primary Seasons)...

Answer 2

  cuz the Indians are out in the sun but the Italians stay inside and make cheese

Answer 3

it's not all latitude... don't forget the longitude.

Answer 4

As a very broad and general reference Northern Italians are fair skinned because their ancestors crossed into Italy from France/Switzerland parts of Europe via the Alps (picture a huge U-turn in the out of Africa theory).  These people were more isolated so there wasn't much racial mixing from Eastern and African trade/conflict partners.  Southern Italians may be darker because the have a "younger" European heritage and/or a more mixed heritage.

Answer 5

Italy is as far as New York City (Sicily) or Montreal from the equator.

Italy borders, sea apart , are France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia.

Milan is less than 300 Km (a couple of hundred miles) from Zurich, Lichtenstein, Munich in Bavaria.

Italy was a passing bridge between Mediterranean and continental Europe for each and every one:Greeks, Latins, Etrurians, Celts in the north Flocks of barbarian from Norway , Sweden , Denmark ( Lombard, Normans) Germany (Goths) , Arabic middle east, Turkish Bizantinian, North Africa, Arabic Spain, Francs from France .

There are wide local minorities speaking in French (Aosta valley) German (Sud Tirol and other), Ladin , Slovenian (around Trieste), Albanian, Greek, Catalan (like in Barcelona)

You have a full variety. You may find Italians of any shade of colours.

Answer 6

What map are you refering to?

India and Arabia share the same latitude Italy is a few lines further north!

Gee.....

Answer 7

They don't all have a fair complexion, and in fact, most Italians are insulted if you say that to them in the US.  Good for you...I don't like them.

Answer 8

Because they are of a different race.  Italians are White Southern Europeans just like Spaniards and Greeks.  

Answer 9

Because the Italians stay inside and make wine.

Answer 10

many italians have light skin.....not every freakin italian is dark! it is genetics thats all!  its not the same as india

i guess we are mixed with a light race

come on people!

Answer 11

Well, Italians originally come from different peoples, including celtic tribes who lived in the North of the country.

Answer 12

I am an Italian and i do have fair skin so i get where your coming from. Your question has no answer becasue know one really knows why. But your question does make alot of sense and i give you and A++ on it

Answer 13

First of all, most Italians, have a darker complexion as compared to the rest of Europe.

Second of all, a persons pigment is not simply influenced by where along the equator they live.  It is centuries of evolution.