Diverse European portraits showcasing regional differences

Model: nano-banana-pro

Editorial portrait gallery showcasing the extraordinary diversity of European faces, eight distinct portraits arranged artistically showing Swedish, Italian, Russian, Irish, German, Greek, Polish, and Scottish subjects, each face lit to reveal their unique bone structure, skin undertones from Nordic porcelain to Mediterranean olive, and distinctive features, professional fashion photography lighting, celebrating the rich phenotypic diversity across Europe that AI often flattens into a single generic look, museum-quality portrait photography, shot on Phase One IQ4 150MP

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Technical Masterclass

European Portraits: Regional Variation

A Technical Exploration

Europe encompasses remarkable phenotypic diversity often overlooked in AI generation. This guide explores the visual distinctions between Nordic, Mediterranean, Slavic, Celtic, and Balkan populations—because "European" is far more varied than a single generic look.

InteractivePortrait PhotographyTechnical

Why "European" Is Too Generic

A note before we begin: This guide explores physical characteristics that AI models may or may not capture accurately. These are generalizations—individuals within any nationality vary enormously. The goal isn't to stereotype but to understand AI's technical capabilities and limitations when generating specific European ethnicities.

When you prompt an AI model with "European woman," you're asking it to represent over 740 million people across 44 countries with vastly different physical characteristics. A Swedish woman looks distinctly different from an Italian, who looks different from a Russian, who looks different from an Irish woman. The result of a generic prompt is typically an averaged face that represents no one authentically.

Professional use cases demand specificity: casting directors need distinct nationalities, stock photographers need authentic representation, character designers need visual accuracy. This guide demonstrates what's achievable with precise prompting—and where current models still fall short.

We're using Nano Banana Pro for this exploration. Judge the results yourself—where does the model succeed in capturing regional variation, and where does it fall back on generic European defaults?

Foundation

Eight Nationalities, One Word

When AI hears 'European,' it produces an averaged face. Here's what specificity achieves—eight distinct nationalities, each with their own visual identity.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Swedish woman in her 20s, very fair skin with cool pink undertones, high angular cheekbones, pale blue eyes, platinum blonde hair, serene expression, soft light, shot at f/2.8

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Swedish

"Portrait of a Swedish woman in her 20s, very fair skin with ..."

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of an Italian woman in her 20s, warm olive skin with golden undertones, large dark expressive eyes, dark wavy hair, confident expression, warm Mediterranean light, shot at f/2.8

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Italian

"Portrait of an Italian woman in her 20s, warm olive skin wit..."

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Russian woman in her 20s, fair skin with cool undertones, high prominent cheekbones, clear grey-blue eyes, light brown hair, composed enigmatic expression, soft light, shot at f/2.8

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Russian

"Portrait of a Russian woman in her 20s, fair skin with cool ..."

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of an Irish woman in her 20s, very fair porcelain skin with pink undertones, bright green eyes, auburn red hair, light freckles, warm spirited expression, soft overcast light, shot at f/2.8

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Irish

"Portrait of an Irish woman in her 20s, very fair porcelain s..."

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Greek woman in her 20s, warm olive skin with golden undertones, large dark brown eyes, dark wavy hair, dignified expression, warm Aegean light, shot at f/2.8

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Greek

"Portrait of a Greek woman in her 20s, warm olive skin with g..."

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Polish woman in her 20s, fair skin with neutral undertones, high cheekbones, blue-green eyes, ash blonde hair, warm intelligent expression, natural light, shot at f/2.8

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Polish

"Portrait of a Polish woman in her 20s, fair skin with neutra..."

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Scottish woman in her 20s, very fair skin with cool pink undertones, striking blue eyes, copper red hair with natural wave, light freckling, confident expression, soft Scottish light, shot at f/2.8

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Scottish

"Portrait of a Scottish woman in her 20s, very fair skin with..."

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Serbian woman in her 20s, fair to light olive skin with warm undertones, dark brown eyes, high cheekbones, dark hair, proud confident expression, warm natural light, shot at f/2.8

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Serbian

"Portrait of a Serbian woman in her 20s, fair to light olive ..."

Compare these eight portraits. Each represents a different European nationality with distinct features: Swedish very fair porcelain skin with cool undertones versus Italian warm olive with golden tones. Irish auburn hair and freckles versus Russian high Slavic cheekbones. The differences are significant—yet a generic "European woman" prompt would collapse all this diversity into a single averaged face.

The key insight: Nationality-specific prompting isn't about stereotyping—it's about honoring the actual diversity that exists. Generic prompts erase this diversity; specific prompts preserve it.

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Nordic

Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish

The lightest coloring in Europe with distinctive angular bone structure. Cool undertones and pale eyes define the Nordic phenotype.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Swedish woman from Stockholm in her late 20s, very fair porcelain skin with cool pink undertones characteristic of Scandinavian complexion, high angular cheekbones creating distinctive Nordic bone structure, pale blue-grey eyes with blonde lashes, straight narrow nose with defined bridge, thin natural lips, platinum blonde hair with ash undertones, the ethereal fair coloring of Nordic heritage, soft diffused natural light from large window, minimalist Scandinavian styling, serene composed expression, shot on Hasselblad X2D at f/2.8, Stockholm editorial aesthetic

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Swedish Woman

Sweden

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Norwegian woman from Bergen in her late 20s, fair skin with subtle peachy-pink undertones, strong Nordic bone structure with high prominent cheekbones, bright blue eyes typical of Norwegian population, straight defined nose, balanced natural features, sandy blonde to light brown hair, the hardy beautiful features shaped by Norway's dramatic landscape, cool natural light suggesting Nordic fjord country, simple wool sweater in muted tones, confident direct expression, shot at f/2.8, Norwegian portrait tradition

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Norwegian Woman

Norway

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Finnish woman from Helsinki in her late 20s, fair skin with neutral to cool undertones, distinctive Finnish features blending Nordic and subtle Uralic influences, high wide cheekbones creating broader face shape than Swedish, light grey-blue or green eyes common in Finland, straight nose, understated natural features, ash blonde or light brown hair, the quiet refined beauty of Finnish heritage, soft diffused light, minimal styling, contemplative serene expression, shot at f/2.8, Finnish aesthetic restraint

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Finnish Woman

Finland

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Danish woman from Copenhagen in her late 20s, fair skin with warm undertones slightly more golden than Swedish, high cheekbones with softer contours than Norwegian, blue or green eyes, straight refined nose, natural full lips, honey blonde hair with warmer tones than other Nordics, the approachable warm beauty of Danish heritage, natural window light, contemporary Copenhagen styling, warm friendly expression, shot at f/2.8, Scandinavian hygge aesthetic

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Danish Woman

Denmark

Swedish features often include very fair porcelain skin with cool pink undertones, high angular cheekbones creating distinctive bone structure, and pale blue-grey eyes. Hair ranges from platinum to ash blonde.

Norwegian features share the Nordic fairness but often with slightly more robust bone structure, bright blue eyes, and hair ranging from blonde to light brown.

Finnish features show subtle Uralic influence with slightly wider cheekbones than Swedish, creating a broader face shape. Eyes often tend toward grey-blue or grey-green.

Danish features are slightly warmer than other Nordics, with more golden undertones and honey-toned hair. The bone structure is high but with softer contours.

Tip: For Nordic portraits, always specify "cool pink undertones" or "porcelain with cool undertones" to avoid AI defaulting to warmer tones. Reference specific national characteristics like "Swedish angular cheekbones" versus "Finnish wider cheekbone structure."

Mediterranean

Italian, Greek, Spanish

Warm olive undertones, dark expressive features, and sun-kissed complexions define the Mediterranean phenotype—dramatically different from Nordic coloring.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Northern Italian woman from Milan in her late 20s, fair olive skin with warm golden undertones, refined elegant bone structure, large expressive dark brown eyes with thick lashes, Roman nose with slight aquiline curve, full natural lips, dark chestnut brown hair with warm highlights, the sophisticated beauty of Lombardy heritage, warm natural lighting, elegant understated Italian styling, confident poised expression, shot at f/2.8, Milanese fashion photography

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Italian Woman

Italy (Northern)

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Sicilian woman from Palermo in her late 20s, warm olive to tan skin with golden-bronze undertones deeper than Northern Italian, Mediterranean features with Greek and Arab historical influence, large dark almost-black eyes with dramatic lashes, prominent nose with rounded tip, full sensual lips, thick wavy dark hair nearly black, the passionate beauty of Southern Italian heritage, warm golden hour Mediterranean light, colorful casual styling, warm vivacious expression, shot at f/2.8, Southern Italian warmth

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Southern Italian Woman

Italy (Sicily)

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Greek woman from Athens in her late 20s, warm olive skin with golden undertones, classic Mediterranean bone structure with high cheekbones, large dark brown eyes reminiscent of ancient Greek sculpture, straight or slightly aquiline nose often called the Greek nose, naturally full lips, thick dark wavy hair, the timeless beauty celebrated in Hellenic art, warm Aegean light casting soft shadows, simple elegant styling, dignified composed expression, shot at f/2.8, Mediterranean classical aesthetic

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Greek Woman

Greece

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Castilian Spanish woman from Madrid in her late 20s, fair to light olive skin with warm undertones, refined features with Iberian character, large expressive dark eyes, straight refined nose, full defined lips, dark hair ranging from deep brown to black with natural shine, the proud elegant beauty of central Spain, warm natural light, sophisticated Madrid styling, confident regal expression, shot at f/2.8, Spanish portrait tradition

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Spanish Woman

Spain (Castile)

Northern Italian features often include fair olive skin with warm golden undertones, refined elegant bone structure, and large expressive dark brown eyes. Hair ranges from chestnut to dark brown.

Southern Italian features show deeper Mediterranean influence with warmer tan-olive skin, darker eyes (nearly black), and thicker dark wavy hair. Sicilian features often show Greek and historical Arab influence.

Greek features embody classic Mediterranean beauty—warm olive skin with golden undertones, large dark eyes, the famous "Greek nose" (straight or slightly aquiline), and thick dark wavy hair.

Spanish features vary by region. Castilian Spanish often have fair to light olive skin with refined features, while Andalusian features show more Mediterranean warmth with historical Moorish influence.

Note: AI models often struggle to render true olive skin tones, defaulting to either too pink or too tan. Explicitly describe "warm olive skin with golden undertones" and reference Mediterranean lighting to get accurate coloring.

Eastern Europe

Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Czech

Distinctive high cheekbones and fair skin with cool undertones define the Slavic phenotype—a look celebrated throughout Eastern European art and culture.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Russian woman from Moscow in her late 20s, fair porcelain skin with cool pink undertones, distinctive Slavic bone structure with high prominent cheekbones and wide-set features, blue or grey eyes with a distinctive clear quality, straight nose with refined tip, natural lips often with defined cupid's bow, light brown to dark blonde hair, the striking beauty celebrated in Russian art and literature, soft diffused light, elegant contemporary styling, composed enigmatic expression, shot at f/2.8, Russian portrait aesthetic

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Russian Woman

Russia (Moscow)

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Polish woman from Warsaw in her late 20s, fair skin with neutral to warm undertones, Slavic features with softer contours than Russian, high cheekbones creating gentle angles, blue green or grey eyes common in Poland, straight refined nose, natural lips, light brown to blonde hair often with ash tones, the graceful beauty of Polish heritage, natural window light, modern European styling, warm intelligent expression, shot at f/2.8, contemporary Warsaw fashion

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Polish Woman

Poland

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Ukrainian woman from Kyiv in her late 20s, fair skin with subtle warm undertones, distinctive Ukrainian features blending Slavic and subtle Cossack heritage, high cheekbones with rounded contours, typically light eyes in blue grey or green, straight nose, naturally full lips, hair ranging from dark blonde to light brown, the renowned beauty of Ukrainian women, soft natural light, traditional embroidered elements visible, proud dignified expression, shot at f/2.8, Ukrainian portrait tradition

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Ukrainian Woman

Ukraine

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Czech woman from Prague in her late 20s, fair skin with neutral undertones, refined Central European features with Slavic influence, balanced bone structure with gentle cheekbones, light eyes often blue or green, straight elegant nose, natural balanced lips, light brown hair with natural highlights, the understated sophisticated beauty of Bohemian heritage, soft Prague light, artistic contemporary styling, thoughtful cultured expression, shot at f/2.8, Bohemian aesthetic

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Czech Woman

Czech Republic

Russian features often include fair porcelain skin with cool pink undertones, the distinctive high prominent cheekbones celebrated in Russian beauty, and clear grey-blue eyes. Hair ranges from dark blonde to light brown.

Polish features share Slavic characteristics but often with softer contours and slightly warmer undertones than Russian. Eyes frequently appear in blue-green or grey.

Ukrainian features blend Slavic characteristics with subtle influences from historical Cossack heritage. High cheekbones with rounded contours, light eyes, and hair from dark blonde to light brown.

Czech features show Central European refinement with Slavic influence—balanced bone structure, light eyes often blue or green, and the understated sophisticated beauty of Bohemian heritage.

Tip: The key to Slavic portraits is the distinctive bone structure. Reference "high prominent cheekbones" and "wide-set features" to capture the authentic Slavic look rather than generic European features.

Celtic

Irish, Scottish, Welsh

Very fair skin with pink undertones, red hair genetics, and natural freckles—the Celtic phenotype requires explicit prompting to capture completely.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of an Irish woman from Dublin in her late 20s, very fair porcelain skin with distinctive pink cool undertones often with natural rosy cheeks, Celtic bone structure with rounded softer features, bright blue or green eyes characteristic of Irish genetics, small upturned nose typical of Celtic features, natural pink lips, hair ranging from deep auburn red to dark brown or black, freckles scattered across nose and cheeks, the luminous pale beauty of Irish heritage, soft overcast light suggesting Irish climate, natural understated styling, warm spirited expression, shot at f/2.8, Celtic portrait tradition

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Ireland

Irish Woman

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Scottish woman from Edinburgh in her late 20s, very fair skin with cool pink undertones and natural ruddiness from Scottish climate, strong Celtic features with prominent cheekbones, striking blue or green eyes, straight or slightly upturned nose, natural lips, hair ranging from copper red to auburn to dark brown, often with natural wave, light freckling common, the hardy beautiful features of Highland heritage, soft diffused Scottish light, contemporary Edinburgh styling, direct confident expression, shot at f/2.8, Scottish portrait aesthetic

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Scotland

Scottish Woman

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Welsh woman from Cardiff in her late 20s, fair skin with subtle pink undertones, Celtic features with distinctive Welsh character, oval face shape, expressive eyes often in dark blue or grey, sometimes dark brown showing Iberian historical connections, refined nose, natural lips, hair typically dark brown to black more commonly than other Celtic nations, the distinctive beauty of Welsh heritage, soft natural light, contemporary British styling, warm thoughtful expression, shot at f/2.8, Welsh portrait tradition

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Wales

Welsh Woman

Irish features include very fair porcelain skin with distinctive pink cool undertones, often with natural rosy cheeks. The Celtic gene pool produces high rates of red hair (10%) and bright blue or green eyes. Freckles are extremely common.

Scottish features share Celtic characteristics with Highland distinctiveness—very fair skin that may show natural ruddiness, striking blue or green eyes, and hair ranging from copper red to auburn to dark brown.

Welsh features often include dark hair (more common than in Ireland or Scotland) due to historical Iberian connections, with fair Celtic skin and distinctive Welsh character. Eyes can be dark blue, grey, or brown.

Note: AI frequently misses Celtic features. Always explicitly mention "freckles scattered across nose and cheeks," specify hair color from the red spectrum, and describe "very fair skin with pink undertones." Without these details, AI defaults to generic pale features.

Central & Balkan

German, Austrian, Serbian, Croatian

Central Europe and the Balkans showcase the transition from Northern to Mediterranean features, with distinctive regional characteristics.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Bavarian German woman from Munich in her late 20s, fair skin with neutral to warm undertones, strong Germanic bone structure with defined jawline and cheekbones, blue or grey eyes typical of Southern Germany, straight well-defined nose, balanced natural lips, hair ranging from blonde to light brown, the healthy robust beauty of Bavarian heritage, warm natural light, refined contemporary styling, direct confident expression, shot at f/2.8, Munich fashion aesthetic

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German Woman

Germany (Bavaria)

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of an Austrian woman from Vienna in her late 20s, fair skin with subtle warm undertones, refined Central European features with Habsburg heritage influence, elegant bone structure, light eyes often blue or green, straight refined nose, naturally shaped lips, light to medium brown hair, the cultivated sophisticated beauty of Viennese heritage, soft diffused light, elegant traditional touches in modern styling, graceful composed expression, shot at f/2.8, Viennese classical elegance

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Austrian Woman

Austria

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Serbian woman from Belgrade in her late 20s, fair to light olive skin with warm undertones, distinctive South Slavic features with Mediterranean influence, high cheekbones with strong bone structure, dark eyes often brown or hazel, straight or slightly aquiline nose, full natural lips, dark brown to black hair, the striking beauty for which Serbian women are renowned, warm natural light, contemporary Balkan styling, proud confident expression, shot at f/2.8, Belgrade fashion aesthetic

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Serbian Woman

Serbia

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait of a Croatian woman from Zagreb in her late 20s, fair skin with subtle Mediterranean warmth on the coast to neutral inland, Slavic features with Adriatic influence, refined bone structure with high cheekbones, eyes ranging from blue in the north to brown on the Dalmatian coast, straight elegant nose, natural full lips, hair from light brown in north to dark brown on coast, the varied beauty of Croatian heritage, soft natural light, elegant Mediterranean-influenced styling, warm approachable expression, shot at f/2.8, Croatian portrait tradition

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Croatian Woman

Croatia

German features (particularly Bavarian) include fair skin with neutral to warm undertones, strong Germanic bone structure with defined jawline, and blue or grey eyes. Hair ranges from blonde to light brown.

Austrian features show refined Central European elegance with Habsburg heritage influence, fair skin with subtle warm undertones, and light eyes.

Serbian features blend South Slavic and Mediterranean influences—fair to light olive skin with warm undertones, high cheekbones with strong bone structure, and typically dark eyes and hair.

Croatian features vary dramatically from northern Zagreb (more Central European) to the Dalmatian coast (more Mediterranean), showcasing how geography influences phenotype within a single nation.

Overview

Four Major Regions Compared

A high-level comparison of Europe's major phenotypic regions, each with dramatically different characteristics.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait showcasing typical Nordic characteristics, Swedish woman with very fair porcelain skin showing cool pink undertones, high angular cheekbones, pale blue eyes, platinum blonde hair, the ethereal beauty of Scandinavian heritage, shot at f/2.8

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Nordic

→Very fair porcelain skin with pink undertones
→High angular cheekbones, defined bone structure
→Light eyes (blue, grey, green)
→Blonde to light brown hair
→Thin to natural lips
→Cool climate adapted features

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait showcasing typical Mediterranean characteristics, Italian woman with warm olive skin and golden undertones, large expressive dark brown eyes, classic Mediterranean features, dark wavy hair, the warm beauty of Southern European heritage, shot at f/2.8

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Mediterranean

→Olive skin with warm golden undertones
→Large expressive dark eyes
→Defined noses often with aquiline curve
→Full natural lips
→Dark hair (brown to black)
→Sun-adapted warm coloring

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait showcasing typical Slavic characteristics, Russian woman with fair porcelain skin and cool undertones, distinctive high cheekbones, clear grey-blue eyes, the striking beauty celebrated in Eastern European heritage, shot at f/2.8

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Slavic

→Fair skin with cool to neutral undertones
→High prominent cheekbones
→Wide-set features, balanced proportions
→Light eyes (blue, grey, green)
→Light brown to blonde hair
→Distinctive clear eye quality

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait showcasing typical Celtic characteristics, Irish woman with very fair porcelain skin and pink undertones, bright green eyes, auburn red hair, light freckles across nose and cheeks, the luminous beauty of Celtic heritage, shot at f/2.8

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Celtic

→Very fair skin with pink undertones
→Natural freckles common
→Bright blue or green eyes
→Red, auburn, or dark hair
→Softer rounded features
→Natural rosy cheeks

Technique

Region-Specific Prompting

The vocabulary that works for each European region. Reference these descriptors to get authentic rather than generic results.

Model: nano-banana-pro

Portrait demonstrating Nordic-specific prompting, woman with very fair porcelain skin showing cool pink undertones, the high angular cheekbones and defined bone structure characteristic of Scandinavian heritage, pale blue eyes, shot at f/2.8

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