History of Lusophone Americans in Newark, New Jersey facts for kids
Newark, New Jersey, is a city with a special nickname: "Little Portugal." This is because many people who live there speak Portuguese or have family from Portugal. Most of these Portuguese-speaking families live in a busy neighborhood called the Ironbound. Besides people from Portugal, Newark is also home to many people from Brazil and Cape Verde. Some also come from Angola.
A Look at History
The first Portuguese immigrants arrived in Newark in the early 1900s. The biggest wave of people from Portugal came during the 1950s. They often came seeking new opportunities and a better life. Today, not many people immigrate directly from Portugal. Instead, most new Portuguese-speaking immigrants come from Brazil and countries in Portuguese-speaking Africa, especially Cape Verde. You might also find people from Mozambique and Galicia. Galicia is a region in Spain where people speak a language called Galician. This language is very old and is actually like an ancestor to modern Portuguese!
Who Lives There?
In 1995, about 30,000 Portuguese-Americans lived in Newark. This shows how large and important the community is. According to information from the 2000 Census, Newark had 15,801 residents who were of Portuguese ancestry. This was about 5.8% of everyone living in the city. Also, 5,805 residents were of Brazilian ancestry. That was about 2.1% of the total population. These numbers show that Newark is a vibrant place with a strong connection to Portuguese-speaking cultures.
