Ecuadorians in the United Kingdom
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| London and South East England | |
| Languages | |
| British English, Spanish, Spanglish and Other Languages of Ecuador | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholic, Protestantism, Mormon | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Ecuadorian people • Latin American Briton • Mestizo • Amerindian • Mulatto • Spanish Briton • Hispanic • Latino |
Ecuadorians in the United Kingdom (informally known as EcuaBrits)[4] include people of Ecuadorian ancestry living in the United Kingdom, who have be born and/ or raised in the UK. They can be either British citizens or non-citizen immigrants.
Background
The first Ecuadorians began arriving in the United Kingdom in the late 1900s, with the majority of them being political refugees fleeing from political persecution and military dictatorships, like many of the other Latin American Communities. The majority of Ecuadorians have had to learn English after migrating to the UK, as the vast majority of them speak only Spanish or other indigenous languages of Ecuador. The Hispanic and Ecuadorian culture has had a major impact in London, where hundreds of Hispanic stores and stalls can be found in markets, streets and shopping centres across the city. People can purchase exotic fruits, foods, clothing and other Hispanic products in such places as Brixton Market, Seven Sister Markets, and shopping centres in Elephant and Castle and Peckham Rye, where Latin American culture dominates the retail scene.[3]
Demographics
Population and distribution
The 2001 Census recorded a meer 3,035 Ecuadorian-born people living in the UK.[1] Despite this, recent estimates vary with The Independent putting the figure at around 10,000.[2] Several other sources estimate the population including British born people of Ecuadorian origin at much higher figures. The NGO and community members believe it is in the range of 30,000 and 75,000,[5], whilst the Ecuadorian Consulate in London states around 70,000. Also Latin American author Sofia Buchuck estimates between 70,000 and 90,000.[3] This creates and unoffical average of currently over 50,000 Britons of Ecuadorian origin. The overwhealming majority of Ecuadorians in the UK can be found in London, possibly 80-90% of all Ecuadorian British people live in the capital, with Lambeth and Southwark being the most popular boroughs within Greater London, the latter of which even has an option to state Ecuadorian national or ethnic origin in the local census (as opposed to the overall UK Census which doesn't even have a Latin American or Hispanic box to tick).[5]
Ethnicity and religion
The majority of Ecuadorian British people are mestizos of Andean origin. It is a predominantly Christian community, and is served by over 20 Latin American churches in London (with more across the UK). Comunidad Cristiana de Londres has over 5,000 largely Ecuadorian members.[5]
Notable people
Bold indicates a UK citizen, normal text indicated a non-citizen immigrant.
- Felipe Caicedo, Footballer
- Ulises de la Cruz, Footballer
- Lawrie Sanchez, Manager of Fulham F.C.
- Antonio Valencia, Footballer
See also
- Demographics of Ecuador
- Ecuadorian people
- Spanish people
- Spanish Briton
- Latin American Briton
- Ecuadorian American
- Mestizo
- Amerindians
- Mulatto
- Afro-Ecuadorian
- Hispanic
- Latino
External links
References
- ^ a b "Country-of-birth database". Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ^ a b Brown, Jonathan (2006-06-22). "The little corner of London that's forever Ecuador". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- ^ a b c Sofia Buchuck. "Crossing borders: Latin American exiles in London". untoldLondon. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
- ^ Ecuabrits
- ^ a b c "Ecuadorian identity, community and multi-cultural integration". Runnymede Trust. Retrieved 2009-02-25.