Hispanic and Latin American Australians (Spanish: australianos hispanos y latinoamericanos) refers to Australians who are of Hispanic, and/or Latin American origin irrespective of their ancestral backgrounds, and their descendants. Brazilian Australians make up the largest proportion of Latin American Australians, while Chilean Australians make up the largest group of Hispanic Australians, followed by Salvadoran Australians. Most Hispanic and Latin American Australians speak English but many continue to use Spanish or Portuguese as well.
At the 2006 Census 86,156 Australian residents declared that they were born in South America (69,157), Central America (12,959) or the Caribbean (4,040).[1] They constitute only 0.43% of the Australian population. Other statistics state that 1.12 % of Australia's population are of Latin American origin. 93,795 residents declared themselves being of South American, Central American or Caribbean ancestry (either alone or in combination with one other ancestry).[2]
Until 2006, Chile was the country that had contributed the largest proportion of immigrants to Australia. In the 2006 Census 23,305 Australian residents declared they were born in Chile. Other Hispanic or Latin American countries include El Salvador (18,000), Spain (12,276), Argentina (11,369), Uruguay (9,376), Brazil (6,647), Peru (6,322), Colombia (5,706), and Ecuador (1,356).[3] But in the 2011 Census, Brazil became the largest source of immigrants of Latin American origin in Australia, with a total of 14,509 Brazil-born people living in the country, leaving Chile in second place.[4] 4,872 were born in Mexico in 2016. Mexican Australians are concentrated in Brisbane and Sydney.[5]
Within the Hispanic and Latin American minority, there are people of different national and ethnic origins. Physical appearances vary widely and often show the blending of European, Amerindian, and African features that has occurred over many generations. Most Central Americans, as are other Hispanic or Latin Americans, are mestizos. Mestizos have both European and American Indian ancestors and, in some cases, African ancestors as well. Their European ancestors were mostly Spaniards. Most Spaniards possess typical Mediterranean features - olive skin, dark hair and eyes. Their Indian ancestors were living in what is now Latin America when the Spaniards arrived.
Argentines
Most Argentines are of Italian and/or Spanish descent, though other groups such as the British, Eastern Europeans, Arabs, Mestizos/Morochos (the Argentine equivalent of mixed people), Jews, Mulattoes, and Asians also immigrated to Argentina.
Brazilians
Most Brazilians are mostly Portuguese, Lebanese, Pardo, Italian, German, Arab, Amerindian and East Asian. Most of the African ancestors were brought as slaves to the region while it was in Portuguese control.
Colombians
Most Colombians are of Mestizo, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Lebanese, Jew and Arab descent, while some Colombians are pure African or mixed Spanish and African descent (known as mulattoes) with their African ancestors having been brought over by the Spaniards to work as slaves.
Salvadoran
Most Salvadoran are Mestizos, Indigenous and of Spanish descent, with other minorities groups such as Lebanese, French, Germans (these settled on the Pacific coast).
Chileans
Most Chileans are mestizos, indigenous Mapuche and Rapa Nui (from Chilean Pacific territory of Easter Island), and of Spanish descent. Other minority ethnic groups include the British, Germans, Eastern Europeans, Jews, Arabs, and Asians who also immigrated to Chile.
Peruvians
Most Peruvians are mestizos, Indigenous and of Spanish descent, with other minorities groups such as Italians, Germans, Asians (Chinese and Japanese), and Arabs.
Mexicans
Most Mexican Australians are mestizos, and of Spanish descent. Minorities include those of French, German, Irish and Chinese descent.[6]
Uruguayans
Most Uruguayans are of Italian and/or Spanish descent, though other groups such as the French, British, Central Europeans, Lebanese, Afro-Uruguayans, Jews, and Armenians also immigrated to Uruguay.
Distribution
Sydney is home to the largest proportion of Hispanic and Latin American Australians - 66% of Uruguay-born, 62% of Peru-born, 47% each of Chile-born and Colombia-born, and 42% of Brazilian-born respondents at the 2006 Census were residing in Sydney. Persons from El Salvador however have different settlement patterns - only 18% were residing in Sydney, while 32% were in Melbourne and 21% were in Brisbane.[7]
As of 2019, there are approximately 7,420 Mexican-born people living in Australia.[8]
Food is one area in which the Hispanic world has influenced cuisine in Australia. Mexican foods are especially popular. The taco, a folded tortilla filled with meat, cheese and other ingredients. Other Hispanic dishes, such as enchiladas, tamales, tostadas and empanadas are also served in many Hispanic-themed restaurants.
^"The Brazil-born Community". Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Archived from the original on 18 November 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
