The Mafia is a criminal syndicate dating back many years. It originally, well, originated in Sicily, and expanded. It was first a group for people that needed protection from the goverment, other people, et cetera. It is a very strongly structed and organized group, with several "Don's", who are the bosses. One must be Sicilian or Italian on the fathers side to join the Mafia. Rumours circulate that the initiation rite is one must hold spread blood on the picture of a saint or other holy figure, and then hold it as it burns.
There is also an American Mafia or sorts, some like the above, call the 'Cosa Nostra' translating into "our thing". Organized much the same way as the Sicilian Mafia, it deals in drugs, prostitution, money laundering,
white collar crime,
violence, and extortion. It has grown very powerful, especially in Chicago, Detroit, and New York City. Until changed, under the 'moustache Petes' the Mafia would only do buisness with those of Sicilian ancestory, although under 'Lucky' Luciano (also created the Mafia's 'Murder, Inc.) it now deals with other people of other nationalities.
See also the Red Mafiya(
Russian Mafia)
Cosa Nostra
And of course, as boldly stated, the Bush
Administration.
