Peruvian American

Peruvian American
Peruano Estadounidense

Benjamin Bratt Carlos I. Noriega · Ginger Reyes
Total population
Peruvian 435,368 Americans up to roughly 0.14% of the US population
Regions with significant populations
New Jersey · Florida · New York ·
Languages
American English · Peruvian Spanish
Religion
Roman Catholic (Predominantly) · Protestant

A Peruvian American is an immigrant or descendant of immigrants from Peru that arrived in the United States. Among Peruvian Americans there are those of mestizo, Amerindian, Spanish and Afro-Peruvian descent, as well as others, including Italian, French, and German or a mix of any of these. A significant minority are of pure or mixed Chinese or/and Japanese heritage.

Peruvians emigrate mainly because of political turmoil and economic hardships. Peruvian Americans are a relatively recent ethnic group as most of them moved to the United States after 1990. Smaller but significant waves of immigration occurred in San Francisco during the gold rush (along with Chilean miners beginning in 1848) and the Metro Detroit area in the 1950s. Peruvians have settled throughout the United States, particularly in Northern New Jersey, but also in New York and New York City, the Tampa Bay area, South Florida, and the Washington DC metropolitan area. A number of Peruvian Americans have settled in Paterson, New Jersey, owing to an established community and the Peruvian Consulate. Western Market Street, located in downtown Paterson, is lined with Peruvian owned restaurants, bakeries, delis, travel agencies, and other businesses. In addition, a popular, small bus corporation that serves such places as Paterson, Passaic, New Jersey, and Union City, New Jersey and New York City is owned by Peruvian American. According to the U.S. Census Bureau it is estimated that 435,368 U.S. residents identify themselves as being of Peruvian origin.^[1]

Although Queens county's percentage of Peruvians is about .13% it has the largest Pervuian community of any county in the United States numbering just about 30,000.^{[citation needed]}

The top 25 US communities with the highest percentage of people claiming Peruvian ancestry are:^[2]

1. East Newark, New Jersey 10.1%
2. Harrison, New Jersey 7.01%
3. Paterson, New Jersey 4.72%
4. Kearny, New Jersey 3.82%
5. The Hammocks, Florida 3.36%
6. Port Chester, New York 3.30%
7. Virginia Gardens, Florida 3.24%
8. Prospect Park, New Jersey 3.22
9. Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 3.11%
10. Doral, Florida 2.95%
11. Haledon, New Jersey 2.71%
12. Garfield, New Jersey 2.55%
13. Union City, New Jersey 2.53%
14. Both Key Biscayne, Florida and Glen Cove, New York 2.48%
15. Passaic, New Jersey 2.42%
16. White Plains, New York 2.39%
17. Elizabeth, New Jersey 2.35%
18. Rye, New York 2.33%
19. Ojus, Florida 2.29%
20. Clifton, New Jersey 2.27%
21. Elmsford, New York 2.25%
22. Perth Amboy, New Jersey 2.20%
23. North Bay Village, Florida 2.17%
24. Kendale Lakes, Florida 2.03%
25. Kendall, Florida and the borough of Carteret, New Jersey 2.01%

Religious Affiliation

Over 90% of Peruvian Americans are Roman Catholic^{[citation needed]}. They celebrate en masse to the Señor de los Milagros (The Lord of the Miracles) in large street-processions every October. Their chief saints are San Martin de Porres and Santa Rosa de Lima.

Culture

The most popular dishes of Peruvian food in the U.S. include ceviche (raw fish "cooked" in lime), papa a la huancaina, anticuchos y tamales. Peruvian cuisine is often recognized for being the most diverse and appreciated of the Latin American cuisines, and of the world, with influences that are European, Amerindian and African. Since there is a sizable Chinese and Japanese minority in Peru, an Asian influence has also been deeply incorporated in Peruvian cuisine. There are Chifas, or Asian style Peruvian restaurants that serve typical Chinese or Japanese food with a Peruvian culinary influence. Inca Kola, a soda that originated in Peru, is sold in many heavily concentrated Hispanic areas. Pisco, a clear grape brandy, is the national liquor of Peru and the main ingredient of its national cocktail, the Pisco Sour.

Social Aspects

Despite being a relatively recent ethnic group, the median household income for Peruvians meets the average American household income [1] and 25% of all Peruvians over the age of 25 have college degrees [2] slightly exceeding the US national average of 24%.

References

Websites

http://www.peruvian-americans.tv

http://www.peruvianamericans.com

http://www.peruvianamerican.com

http://www.curito.com