Indigenous peoples of the Americas

Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Current distribution of Indigenous peoples of the Americas
Total population
Approximately 56 million
Regions with significant populations
 Mexico11,800,247 – 23,229,089 (2020)[1][2]
 United States3,727,135 – 9,666,058 (2020)[3]
 Guatemala6,471,670 (2018)[4]
 Peru5,972,606 (2017)[5]
 Bolivia4,176,647 (2012)[6]
 Chile2,176,393 (2017)[7]
 Colombia1,905,617 (2018)[8]
 Canada1,807,250 (2021)[9]
 Brazil1,694,836 (2022)[10]
 Argentina1,306,730 (2022)[11]
 Ecuador1,301,887 (2022)[12]
 Venezuela724,592 (2011)[13]
 Panama698,114 (2023)[14]
 Honduras601,019 (2013)[15]
 Nicaragua443,847 (2005)[16]
 Paraguay140,039 (2022)[17]
 Costa Rica104,143 (2018)[18]
 Guyana78,492 (2012)[19]
 Uruguay76,452 (2011)[20]
 Greenland50,189 (2020)[21]
 Belize36,507 (2010)[22]
 Suriname20,344 (2012)[23]
 Puerto Rico19,839 (2010)[24]
French Guiana~19,000[25]
 El Salvador13,310 (2007)[26]
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines3,280 (2012)[27]
 Dominica2,576 (2011)[28]
 Trinidad and Tobago1,394 (2011)[29]
 Saint Lucia951 (2010)[30]
 Antigua and Barbuda327 (2011)[31]
 Grenada162 (2011)[32]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis8 (2011)[33]
Languages
Indigenous American languages, Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, Danish, Dutch, and (formerly) Russian (in Alaska)
Religion
Mostly Christianity (Catholic and Protestant), along with various Indigenous American religions and mythologies[34][35]
Related ethnic groups
Métis, Mestizos, Zambos, and Pardos

In the Americas, indigenous peoples comprise the two continents' pre-Columbian inhabitants prior to European settlement in the 15th century, as well as the ethnic groups that identify with the pre-Columbian population of the Americas as such.[36] These populations exhibit significant diversity; some Indigenous peoples were historically hunter-gatherers, while others practiced agriculture and aquaculture. Various Indigenous societies developed complex social structures, including pre-contact monumental architecture, organized cities, city-states, chiefdoms, states, kingdoms, republics, confederacies, and empires.[37] These societies possessed varying levels of knowledge in fields such as engineering, architecture, mathematics, astronomy, writing, physics, medicine, agriculture, irrigation, geology, mining, metallurgy, art, sculpture, and goldsmithing.

Indigenous peoples continue to inhabit many regions of the Americas, with significant populations in countries such as Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the United States. There are at least 1,000 different indigenous languages spoken across the Americas, with 574 federally recognized tribes in the US alone. Some languages, including Quechua, Arawak, Aymara, Guaraní, Mayan, and Nahuatl, have millions of speakers and are recognized as official by governments in Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, and Greenland. Indigenous peoples, whether residing in rural or urban areas, often maintain aspects of their cultural practices, including religion, social organization, and subsistence practices. Over time, these cultures have evolved, preserving traditional customs while adapting to modern needs. Some Indigenous groups remain relatively isolated from Western culture, with a few still considered uncontacted peoples.[38]

The Americas also host millions of individuals of mixed Indigenous, European, and sometimes African or Asian descent, historically referred to as mestizos in Spanish-speaking countries.[39][40] In many Latin American nations, people of partial Indigenous descent constitute a majority or significant portion of the population, particularly in Central America, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, and Paraguay.[41][42][43] Mestizos outnumber Indigenous peoples in most Spanish-speaking countries, according to estimates of ethnic cultural identification. However, since Indigenous communities in the Americas are defined by cultural identification and kinship rather than ancestry or race, mestizos are typically not counted among the Indigenous population unless they speak an Indigenous language or identify with a specific Indigenous culture.[44] Additionally, many individuals of wholly Indigenous descent who do not follow Indigenous traditions or speak an Indigenous language have been classified or self-identify as mestizo due to assimilation into the dominant Hispanic culture. In recent years, the self-identified Indigenous population in many countries has increased as individuals reclaim their heritage amid rising Indigenous-led movements for self-determination and social justice.[45]

  1. ^ "Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020: Presentación de resultados" (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. p. 49. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2024. Note: Indigenous population was identified as the total population in households where the head of the household, his or her spouse or any of their ascendants claimed to speak an indigenous language.
  2. ^ "Principales resultados del Censo de Población y Vivienda 2020" (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. p. 62. Retrieved 11 October 2024. It was estimated that 19.4% of population aged 3 years and older recognize themselves as indigenous.
  3. ^ "Race and Ethnicity in the United States". United States Census Bureau. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Principales Resultados del Censo 2018" [Main Results of the 2018 Census] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021. Sum of people who identify as Maya (6,207,503) and Xinka (264,167).
  5. ^ "Perú: Perfil Sociodemográfico" [Peru: Sociodemographic Profile] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática. p. 214. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2021. Sum of population aged 12 years and older who identify as Quechua (5,176,809), Aimara (548,292), Native or Indigenous from the Amazon (79,266), Ashaninka (55,489), Part of another indigenous or originary peoples (49,838), Awajun (37,690) and Shipibo Konibo (25,222).
  6. ^ "Características de la Población – Censo 2012" [Population Characteristics – 2012 Census] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística. p. 103. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021. Excluding Afro-Bolivians (23,330).
  7. ^ "Síntesis de Resultados Censo 2017" (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2021. Excluding Rapa Nui (9,399).
  8. ^ "Población Indígena de Colombia" [Indigenous Population of Colombia] (PDF) (in Spanish). Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Indigenous identity by Registered or Treaty Indian status: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts". Statistics Canada. 21 September 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Censo Demográfico 2022: Identificação étnico-racial da população, por sexo e idade" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Censo Nacional de Población, Hogares y Viviendas 2022: Población indígena o descendiente de pueblos indígenas u originarios" (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INDEC). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Presentación de Resultados Nacionales" [Presentation of National Results] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Resultados Población Indígena" [Indigenous Population Results] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Población indígena en la República, por sexo, según provincia, comarca indígena, grupo indígena al que pertenece y grupos de edad: Censo 2023" [Indigenous population in the Republic, by sex, by province, indigenous region, indigenous group to which it belongs and age groups: 2023 Census] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Población total por grupo poblacional al que pertenece, según total nacional, departamento, área, sexo y grupo de edad" [Total population by population group to which it belongs, according to national total, department, area, sex and age group] (XLSX) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021. Sum of people who identify as Maya-Chortí (33,256), Lenca (453,672), Misquito (80,007), Nahua (6,339), Pech (6,024), Tolupán (19,033) and Tawahka (2,690).
  16. ^ "Resultados – Censo de Poblacion y Vivienda 2005" [Results – Population and Housing Census 2005] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos. p. 184. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Primeros Resultados Finales del IV Censo Nacional de Población y Viviendas para Pueblos Indígenas 2022" [First Final Results of the IV National Census of Population and Housing for Indigenous Peoples 2022] (PDF) (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística. p. 22. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Población indígena por pertenencia a un pueblo indígena, según provincia y sexo" [Indigenous population by belonging to an indigenous people, according to province and sex]. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos. Archived from the original (XLS) on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  19. ^ "Final 2012 Census Compendium 2" (PDF). Bureau of Statistics. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  20. ^ "Población por sexo y principal ascendencia étnico racial, según departamento" [Population by sex and main ethnic-racial ancestry, according to department] (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Archived from the original (XLS) on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Greenland in Figures 2020" (PDF). Statistics Greenland. p. 37. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021. Corresponding to "Born in Greenland".
  22. ^ "Population and Housing Census 2010" (PDF). Statistical Institute of Belize. p. 20. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Demografische en Sociale Karakteristieken en Migratie" (PDF) (in Dutch). Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek. p. 46. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Puerto Rico: 2010 Summary Population and Housing Characteristics" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 90. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  25. ^ Aupetit, Mathilde. "Les populations indigènes de la Guyane française : une mémoire environnementale essentielle à protéger" (in French). Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  26. ^ "VI Censo de población y V de vivienda 2007" (PDF) (in Spanish). Dirección General de Estadística y Censos. p. 273. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Population and Housing Census Report 2012" (PDF). Statistical Office. p. 28. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  28. ^ "Ethnic Groups by Sex 1991, 2001 and 2011". Central Statistics Office of Dominica. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  29. ^ "2011 Population and Housing Census Demographic Report" (PDF). Central Statistical Office. p. 94. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  30. ^ "2010 Housing and Population Census". The Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023. To generate the report follow Population and Housing > Basic Characteristics > Person Variables, select Ethnic group and execute.
  31. ^ "2011 Population and Housing Census" (PDF). Statistics Division. p. 64. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Population and Housing Census 2011" (PDF). Central Statistics Office. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Population by Ethnic, Racial or National Group, 2011". Department of Statistics, Ministry of Sustainable Development. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  34. ^ Hultkrantz 1987.
  35. ^ Zerries 1987.
  36. ^ "Indigenous Peoples of North America". www.gale.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  37. ^ Graeber, David; Wengrow, David (2001). The Dawn of Everything, A New History of Humanity. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux. pp. 346–358.
  38. ^ Mann, Charles C. (2005). 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. New York: Knopf. ISBN 978-1-4000-4006-3.
  39. ^ Marez, Curtis (2007). "Mestizo/a". In Burgett, Bruce; Hendler, Glenn (eds.). Keywords for American Cultural Studies (3rd ed.). NYU Press.
  40. ^ Mangan, Jane E. (30 June 2014). "Mestizos". Atlantic History. doi:10.1093/obo/9780199730414-0240.
  41. ^ Lizcano Fernández, Francisco (2004). "Las etnias centroamericanas en la segunda mitad del siglo XX" [Central American ethnic groups in the second half of the 20th century] (PDF). Revista Mexicana del Caribe (in Spanish). IX (17). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  42. ^ Lizcano Fernández, Francisco (August 2008). "Composición Étnica de las Tres Áreas Culturales del Continente Americano al Comienzo del Siglo XXI" [Ethnic Composition of the Three Cultural Areas of the American Continent at the Beginning of the 21st Century]. Convergencia (in Spanish). 12 (38): 185–232. ISSN 1405-1435.
  43. ^ De Oliveira, Thais C.; Secolin, Rodrigo; Lopes-Cendes, Iscia (19 January 2023). "A review of ancestrality and admixture in Latin America and the Caribbean focusing on native American and African descendant populations". Frontiers in Genetics. 14. doi:10.3389/fgene.2023.1091269. ISSN 1664-8021. PMC 9893294. PMID 36741309.
  44. ^ Bartolomé (1996:2)
  45. ^ "Varieties of Indigeneity in the Americas" (PDF). Stanford University. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2024.