Peruvian American

Peruvian American
Peruano Estadounidense

Benjamin Bratt Carlos I. Noriega · Ginger Reyes
Total population
Peruvian 435,363 Americans up to roughly 0.14% of the US population
Regions with significant populations
Northern New Jersey · New York City Metropolitan Area · Miami metropolitan area · Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area · Los Angeles metropolitan area
Languages
American English · Peruvian Spanish
Religion
Roman Catholic (predominantly) · Protestant

Part of a series of articles on Hispanic and Latino Americans
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A Peruvian American (Spanish: Inmigración peruana en Estados Unidos is an immigrant or descendant of immigrants from Peru that arrived in the United States. Among Peruvian Americans there are those of White (mostly Spanish), mestizo, Amerindian, and Afro-Peruvian descent, as well as others, including Italian, French, and German or a mix of any of these. A significant number are of pure or mixed Chinese or/and Japanese heritage.

Peruvians emigrate mainly because of political turmoil and economic hardships. Peruvian Americans are a relatively recent ethnic group as most of them moved to the United States after 1990. According to the U.S. Census Bureau it is estimated that 435,368 U.S. residents identify themselves as being of Peruvian origin.

History

Small but significant waves of immigration occurred in San Francisco during the gold rush (along with Chilean miners beginning in 1848) and the Metro Detroit area in the 1950s. However, the majority of Peruvians that emigrated to the United States have arrived since the 90s. Peruvians typically emigrate due to economic reasons, to escape poverty and pursue a better quality of life. Significant demographics of Peruvians are found in New Jersey, New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

Religious affiliation

Over 90% of Peruvian Americans are Roman Catholic^{[citation needed]}. They celebrate en masse to the Señor de los Milagros (The Lord of the Miracles) in large street-processions every October. Their chief saints are Martín de Porres and Rose of Lima.

Culture

The most famous and first aspect of Peruvian culture that deals with the United States is the book, "The Incas's Florida" [La Florida del Inca] written at the end of sixteenth century by the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. Garcilaso's book details the travels of the explorer Hernando de Soto who had participated in the Forty-Years War between the Incas and the Spanish (1531–1571) and who later came to the lands that would become the United States and that the Spanish called "Florida."

The most popular dishes of Peruvian food in the U.S. include cebiche (raw fish "cooked" in lime juice), papa a la huancaina, and anticuchos y tamales. Peruvian cuisine is often recognized for being one of the most diverse and appreciated of the Latin American cuisines, with influences including European, Native American, and African. Since there is a sizable Chinese and Japanese minority in Peru, an Asian influence has also been deeply incorporated in Peruvian cuisine. There are Chifas, or Asian style Peruvian restaurants that serve typical Chinese or Japanese food with a Peruvian culinary influence. Inca Kola, a soda that originated in Peru, is sold in many heavily concentrated Latino areas. Pisco, a clear grape brandy, is the national liquor of Peru and the main ingredient of its national cocktail, the Pisco Sour.

Social aspects

Despite being a relatively recent ethnic group, the median household income for Peruvians meets the average American household income [1] and 25% of all Peruvians over the age of 25 have college degrees [2] slightly exceeding the US national average of 24%.

Demography

Peruvians have settled throughout the United States, migrating particularly to Northern New Jersey and the New York City Metropolitan Area, the Miami metropolitan area, the Washington Metropolitan Area, and the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Notably, a rapidly growing number of Peruvian Americans have established an increasingly prominent community in Paterson, New Jersey, partially owing to the presence of the Peruvian Consulate. Market Street in downtown Paterson is lined with Peruvian-owned restaurants, bakeries, delicatessens, bodegas, travel agencies, and other businesses.

The top 25 US communities with the highest percentage of people claiming Peruvian ancestry are:

1. East Newark, New Jersey 10.1%
2. Harrison, New Jersey 7.01%
3. Paterson, New Jersey 4.72%
4. Kearny, New Jersey 3.82%
5. The Hammocks, Florida 3.36%
6. Port Chester, New York 3.30%
7. Virginia Gardens, Florida 3.24%
8. Prospect Park, New Jersey 3.22
9. Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 3.11%
10. Doral, Florida 2.95%
11. Haledon, New Jersey 2.71%
12. Garfield, New Jersey 2.55%
13. Union City, New Jersey 2.53%
14. Both Key Biscayne, Florida and Glen Cove, New York 2.48%
15. Passaic, New Jersey 2.42%
16. White Plains, New York 2.39%
17. Elizabeth, New Jersey 2.35%
18. Rye, New York 2.33%
19. Ojus, Florida 2.29%
20. Clifton, New Jersey 2.27%
21. Elmsford, New York 2.25%
22. Perth Amboy, New Jersey 2.20%
23. North Bay Village, Florida 2.17%
24. Kendale Lakes, Florida 2.03%
25. Kendall, Florida and the borough of Carteret, New Jersey 2.01%

Notable Peruvian-Americans

• Benjamin Bratt, indigenous actor
• Manuel Pablo Arnao, actor/model
• Carlos Castaneda, philosopher
• Carlos I. Noriega, astronaut
• Ginger Reyes, rock musician
• Alex Kuczynski, journalist
• Kenny Florian, mixed martial artist
• Josh Keaton, actor, singer and musical producer
• Yma Sumac, indigenous soprano
• Immortal Technique, rapper
• Thes One, rapper
• Alberto Vargas, Peruvian painter of pin-up girls.
• Arthur Chin – America's first flying ace in World War II.

Websites

• http://www.peruanosenusa.net
• http://www.peruvian-americans.tv
• http://www.peruvianamericans.com
• http://www.peruvianamerican.com
• http://www.curito.com