Italy is a country, not a nationality. Italians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Italian geographical region. Italian nationality is based on the principle of "jus sanguinis," which means that individuals can become Italian citizens if they have Italian parents or ancestors. Legally, Italian nationals are citizens of Italy, regardless of ancestry or nation of residence, and may be distinguished from ethnic Italians in general or from people of Italian descent without Italian citizenship and ethnic Italians living in territories adjacent to the Italian peninsula without Italian citizenship. Therefore, Italian nationality is largely based on ancestry, and individuals can become Italian citizens through various means, such as Italian citizenship by descent, Italian citizenship by marriage, and naturalization.