Race Castizo

union: spanish man (left) , castiza women (center): spanish (children). (painted in 1799)

under caste system of colonial spanish america, term applied offspring resulting union of white person , mestizo; is, of three-quarters white , one-quarter amerindian ancestry. during era, various other terms (mestizo, cuarterón de indio, etc.) used. word cuarterón denotes racial origin three-quarters white , one-quarter black, refers castizo, in caribbean south america.

under colonial caste system, offspring of spaniard , castiza classified criollo (legally, spaniard born in americas), offspring regained or purity of blood. (see related concept of limpieza de sangre.) castizos residual quarter of amerindian ancestry not apparent @ all, many consolidated within criollos , peninsulares (spaniards born in spain).

with fall of spanish empire, numerous caste terminologies fell out of use , lost meaning, other categories of white, black, amerindian, , 3 possible resulting combinations: mestizo, mulato , zambo (the latter three, without blood quantum connotations), these legal categories seen incompatible new concept of citizenship.

furthermore, second part of 19th century, hispanic countries had abolished these surviving categories of distinction among citizens, , racial heritage of person no longer compiled state part of individual s civil record, whether legally hinder or privilege him in matters of civil life. countries, however, have reintroduced voluntary , anonymous declarations of race (or race mixture) in recent population censuses statistical purposes, no legal consequence individual.

a person formerly have been deemed castizo today identify mestizo or white. word castizo has lost racial meaning.

location within latin america

castizos located in spanish territories in america , portuguese parts (brazil ), in regions arrivals , european settlements small indigenous communities, mestizos of these areas mixed europeans resulting in large population caucasian traits.

today scattered in latin america many focus on specific countries or regions of same .

brazil: castiza population of brazil in center of country because of great cultural diversity occurred in area whites, mestizos, african minorities , indigenous groups in places río de janeiro, espírito santo, minas gerais, goias , brasilia.
chile: might second country after costa rica highest percentage of castizos of america. located in central valleys of country, in cities such santiago, valparaíso, viña del mar, rancagua , talca. constitute important percentage in northern , southern chile. in chile whites , castizos represent country s largest ethnic group.
costa rica: country highest percentage of castizos of america due continued european immigration , mixing mestizos. castizos located in national territory.
mexico: castiza population in mexico located in north , west of country. these areas have similar castiza , white population costa rica or chile.
paraguay: population of paraguay considered castiza due various europeans came repopulate country after war of triple alliance caused partial loss of original mestizo , indigenous population, resulted immigrant population arrival after war country mixed mestizos , resulting in large castiza population.
peru: peruvian castizos concentrated in departments of lima, cajamarca, arequipa, la libertad, lambayeque , piura, in major urban centers. geographic area population in high percentage respect local population, northern highlands, including ceja de selva adjacent , highlands of departments of north coast.
guatemala: guatemalan castizos inhabit eastern region of country such departments of zacapa, chiquimila, , jalapa.




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