Mestizo Colombians

Mestizo Colombians refers to Colombians who are of European (mostly Spaniard) and Amerindian ancestry. However, due to the fluidity of ethnic categorization common in Latin America, for all practical purposes, it refers to Colombians who do not belong to one of the recognized groups in Colombia (White Colombians, Afro-Colombians, Indigenous Colombians, and Romani). Colombians who simply identify with the mainstream Hispanic culture or Western values are usually categorized as Mestizos, regardless of their actual ancestry. As such, this category may include Amerindians, people who are mixed, and whites.

Colombian international footballer Radamel Falcao is Mestizo Colombian, with Amerindian, Spanish and English ancestry.

Multiethnic relationships in Colombia began shortly after the establishment of the first settlers in the territory. It is a direct result of the shortage of women in some sectors of the kingdom during the Spanish annexation. During the early colonial period most European contribution was on the paternal side.

Numbers and distribution

Mestizo Colombians make up to 49% (30 million)[1] of all Colombians. They are the largest group in Colombia.

The various ethnic groups exist in differing distributions throughout the nation, in a pattern that to some extent goes back to colonial origins. Mestizo Colombians are found throughout the country, mainly in the Caribbean coast, Orinoquia region, and Andean region.

See also

References
  1. "Colombia a country study, 2010" (PDF). Lcweb2.loc.gov (in Spanish). pp. 86/87. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
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