Which Southern European country had the greatest impact on the Western World?

[Cristiano viejo]

Italy by a long shot.

For fucks sake, we write in Italian script.

That is not Italian but Latin. Not the same. It is like saying Spanish language is the same than Latin, when both are absolutely unintelligible, and so are Italian language and Latin too.

The impact Spain has had in the world, specially in the Americas, through the spread of its language, religion and culture, is enough to make your "by a long shot" phrase meaningless.

[Tsuin]

Spain

[Russki]

That is not Italian but Latin. Not the same. It is like saying Spanish language is the same than Latin, when both are absolutely unintelligible, and so are Italian language and Latin too.

The impact Spain has had in the world, specially in the Americas, through the spread of its language, religion and culture, is enough to make your "by a long shot" phrase meaningless.

Spanish impact is bigger on its colonies, whereas Roman-Italian impact is bigger on the whole Earth including Spain itself.

[Cristiano viejo]

Spanish impact is bigger on its colonies, whereas Roman-Italian impact is bigger on the whole Earth including Spain itself.

Spanish colonies = half earth.

Roman impact = half Europe and some MENA areas.

[alnortedelsur]

Spanish impact is bigger on its colonies, whereas Roman-Italian impact is bigger on the whole Earth including Spain itself.

The Spanish conquests and colonization of vast parts of the American continent plus Philippines wasn't only important in its colonies, but had a great impact in the whole planet and changed the world.

[renaissance12]

Greece ,as with no greece there would be no Rome.

Rome's roots are more Etruscan than Greek.

[renaissance12]

Yes. And later even the fashism originated there.

Also the fashion originated in Italy...

[MinervaItalica]

Italy and Greece.

It's not only about colonies. Lets not forget about Renaissance, where generated and all the innovations that brought.

Plus, not to mention that, despite Spanish Empire being larger the Roman Empire lasted longer, however technology wise they are too different to be compared.
Roman Empire size can be considered a great accomplishment for its time and technology. Spanish Empire is only from 1600 to early 1700.

[Occiput in Starlight]

Ancient Rome - the defining force in European and Western history.

[Occiput in Starlight]

If so much of our language, law and roading weren't Italic, I would have opined for the Greeks.