Friday, May 7, 2010

What is the Ethnic Groups of Argentina?

What is the ethnic groups in Argentina? The population of Argentina is of European origin, principally from Spain and Italy. There is little mixing of Aborigines. Approximately 97% are of European extraction, and 3% are mestizo, Amerindian or other nonwhite groups. The Amerindian population grew in recent years due to immigration from Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Anyway, the first inhabitants of Argentina were Indians belonging to different tribes. They came to the country 18,000 years ago from North America. They were hunters, farmers and fruit pickers. Some of their traditions are kept alive mostly in the north and south of the Country.

In the sixteenth century, the Spanish conquerors arrived to Argentina. It is estimated that there were 500 thousand Indians at that time. This meeting caused the blending of whites and Indians. In addition, there were some blacks brought from Africa or Brazil as slaves. In the second half of the nineteenth century and in early twentieth century, thousand of European immigrants came to Argentina. The immigrants defined the essence of the Argentines.

What is the ethnic groups in Argentina? According to a survey by the Argentine government in 2004-2005, there are 35 indigenous tribes in Argentina and 600,329 Indians. However, half of them do not belong to any community but recognize as descendant of the first generation. In total they represent 1.6% of the population.

What is the ethnic groups in Argentina? Diaguitas and Mapuches are the best known indigenous communities. The diaguitas are located in the north, in Tucumán, Salta, La Rioja and Santiago del Estero. They produce fabrics and work with crafts. The Mapuches are located in Neuquén and Rio Negro and in a Chile. The Los Andes range is their natural habitat. The mountains separated the Mapuches from the Spanish conquerors. That is way the tribe exist today. The Mapuche have their own language and a deep connection to the earth. Currently there are problems with the Mapuches in Chile and Argentina because they claim different territories.

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