| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1,302 Portuguese nationals in Mexico (2019)[1] Unknown number of Mexicans of Portuguese descent | |
| Languages | |
| Mexican Spanish,Portuguese | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholicism,Sephardic Judaism (historically) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Portuguese people,Brazilian Mexicans |
ThePortuguese arrived inMexico during theSpanish colonial period. Many of them were sailors,conquistadors, clergy, and members of the military. Later Portuguese arrivals includedpirates in conflict with Spanish leadership. Today, the country's largest Portuguese community is concentrated inMexico City, especially in theColonia Condesa, home to many restaurants and bars popular with people of Portuguese origin.
The first Portuguese to arrive in New Spain was Sebastián Rodríguez de Oliveira, a companion ofHernán Cortés. The Portuguese were a significant presence in New Spain, particularly during theIberian Union. A notable portion of the immigrants were PortugueseSephardi Jews fleeing theSpanish Inquisition.[2]
Portuguese immigrants had no difficulty adapting into New Spanish society because they wereCatholics and accountable to theSpanish Crown for taxation. During theMexican War of Independence, Mexicans did not distinguish between Spanish and Portuguese colonists who were on the side of the Spanish Crown, many of whom were killed or expelled. Only those who wanted to remain loyal to The Spanish Crown were expelled or returned to the Iberian Peninsula, while others stayed and integrated into Mexican society remained and lost touch with the Old World.
Portuguese immigrants were granted preferentialnaturalization times (requiring two years of residence instead of five) in 1993.[3] The preferential naturalization time was granted due to historical and cultural connections and was previously given to Latin Americans (1917) and Spaniards (1939).
According to the 2000Censo General de Población y Vivienda, there were 311 Portuguese-born residents of Mexico.[4]
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