Latin American migration to the United Kingdom
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Hyde Park · Chelsea · South Kensington · Camden · Westminster · Kensington | |
| Languages | |
| British English · Spanish · Portuguese | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Roman Catholic · Protestant · Jewish minority | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Hispanics · Spanish Briton · Italian · Portuguese · Mediterranean · Greek Briton Italian British |
Latin American people started arriving in the United Kingdom mainly in the 1970s at a time of much political turmoil and civil unrest in their countries. In recent times, Latin American culture has become more prominent in British life, mainly through the growing popularity of Salsa music with clubs and bars all over the UK catering to this form of dance. About 5,000 South America-born people live in south London areas known for their Portuguese and Spanish communities, 2001 Census.
- 44,180 live in London alone.
NOTICIAS LATIN AMERICA (NLA) is the longest established Latin American Spanish language newspaper in London, U.K. since August 1992. Latin American Bureau
Readership
- 120,000 readers approximately
Present circulation
- 30,000 copies across London and the U.K.
Main Groups
The South America category comprises Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guyana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Brazilians came to the UK from the 1980s onwards to study, but once the arrived some discovered that the major cities' (in particular London's) ethnic and cultural diversity offered more opportunities and a higher quality of life. In part, this immigration of Brazilians to Britain is a consequence of the economic possibility of travel. The Brazilian community has the biggest Latin American population throughout the whole of the UK.
- Colombians
The mid-1980s saw Colombians arriving not only as political refugees, but also as migrant workers escaping conditions in their home country. Many of them went into the catering industry. Most Colombians live in Elephant and Castle and other parts of South London.
- Chileans
When approximately 2,500 Chilean exiles (including businessmen, professors, and students) arrived in Great Britain, they were met by a small community of Latin people who were already there.
- Cubans
A large number of Cubans have emigrated to the UK as an alternative to the US. Many have settled in London and have come together through the enjoyment of Salsa.
- Other groups
Argentinians, Peruvians, Ecuadorians, Mexicans,
Famous Latin American Britons
- Sienna Guillory, who is of Cuban orgin.
- Michael Bentine Anglo-Peruvian
See also
Resources
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/05/born_abroad/countries/html/south_america.stm