The question of what race Portuguese people are considered is a complex one, with no easy answer. Portugal has a long and diverse history, which has led to a mix of different ethnicities and cultures in the country. As a result, it can be difficult to pinpoint a single race that Portuguese people belong to.
Historical Context
The history of Portugal can be traced back to the Roman Empire, which conquered the Iberian Peninsula in the 2nd century BC. The Romans ruled Portugal for over 500 years, and their influence can still be seen in the country’s language, culture, and architecture.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Portugal was invaded by a series of Germanic tribes, including the Visigoths and the Suebi. These tribes settled in Portugal and intermarried with the local population, which led to the development of a new ethnic group, the Portuguese.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal became a major maritime power. Portuguese explorers sailed around the world, establishing colonies in Africa, Asia, and South America. This led to a further mixing of different ethnicities in Portugal, as people from all over the world came to live in the country.
Modern Portugal
Today, Portugal is a modern, multicultural country. The population of Portugal is over 10 million people, and it is made up of people from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds. The largest ethnic group in Portugal is the Portuguese, who make up about 95% of the population. The remaining 5% of the population is made up of people from other ethnic groups, such as Brazilian, Cape Verdean, and Chinese.
Racial Classification
There is no single, universally accepted definition of race. Different countries and cultures have different ways of classifying people into racial groups. In the United States, for example, the Census Bureau uses a four-race system: White, Black, Asian, and Native American. In Portugal, however, there is no official system of racial classification.
This lack of a formal system of racial classification can make it difficult to determine what race Portuguese people are considered. Some people argue that Portuguese people are White, while others argue that they are a mix of different races. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide how they identify themselves racially.
Conclusion
The question of what race Portuguese people are considered is a complex one, with no easy answer. Portugal has a long and diverse history, which has led to a mix of different ethnicities and cultures in the country. As a result, it can be difficult to pinpoint a single race that Portuguese people belong to. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide how they identify themselves racially.
Additional Information
- The Portuguese government does not collect data on race or ethnicity.
- According to a 2011 study by the Pew Research Center, 84% of Portuguese people identify themselves as White, while 10% identify themselves as Mixed-Race, and 6% identify themselves as Black.
- There is a small but growing number of people in Portugal who identify themselves as Afro-Portuguese.
- The Portuguese language is spoken by over 250 million people around the world.