Colombian Australians

Colombian Australians

Total population
(Colombian 11,318 (by birth, 2011 Census) 10,193 (by ancestry, 2011 Census))
Regions with significant populations
Sydney · Melbourne
Languages
Australian English, Spanish, Colombian Spanish
Religion
Predominately Roman Catholic. Other branches of Christianity (Protestant, Evangelical, Baptist, etc.), some Judaism, Atheism and Agnostic.
Related ethnic groups
Spaniards, Mestizos, Afro-Colombians, Mulattos, Colombian people

Colombian Australians refers to Australian citizens of who trace their nationality or heritage from the South American nation of Colombia.

Causes of migration

Economic problems and violence have led to an emigration of Colombians to Australia in the 1980s. Colombians are among one of the largest South American migrant groups to Australia. Like other South American immigrants and unlike Central American and Caribbean Latino immigrants, Colombians tend to come from urban areas.

Ethnic composition of Colombians in Australia

See also: Demographics of Colombia

Ethnically, Colombians are a diverse population including Colombians of Indigenous descent, Afro-Colombians, Colombians of European descent (mainly Spanish ancestry). However, most Colombians are mix of the three ethnicities. In addition, a significant percentage of Colombians of Middle Eastern descent, notably Syrian and Lebanese, also compose Colombian society.

Cultural traditions

The main musical interests are vallenato, salsa and cumbia. The vast majority of Colombians are Roman Catholic; younger Colombians are significantly more secular than the older generation. Colombian food is highly varied. Popular dishes are bandeja paisa, sancocho (stew), empanadas (meat-filled turnovers), pandebono (a type of cheese-bread), and arepa (corncake). Like most immigrants raised in Australia some children will seek Australian sports. Another popular pastime, especially among the older generation, is parqués.

See also

• Afro-Colombians
• Colombian diaspora