Little Portugal, London facts for kids
Little Portugal is a special area in South London. It's a nickname for the big Portuguese community living in the South Lambeth area. This vibrant neighborhood is located between Vauxhall, Stockwell, and Brixton.
The main street, South Lambeth Road, and its nearby streets are full of Portuguese cafes, restaurants, and food shops. About 7.6% of people in Lambeth speak Portuguese. That's around 25,000 people!
Contents
History of Little Portugal
Early Settlers from Portugal
Many families from Portugal first came to this area in the 1960s and 1970s. They were looking for new opportunities in London.
Working in London
A lot of these early settlers found jobs in places like restaurants and hotels. Some women also worked in homes, helping families. Over time, many people saved their money.
Opening New Businesses
With their savings, some Portuguese families started their own businesses. They opened restaurants and shops along South Lambeth Road. This helped create the lively community we see today.
The Modern Portuguese Community
Who Lives in Little Portugal?
Today, about 25,000 people in the Lambeth area speak Portuguese. This makes it the largest group of Portuguese people in the UK. Most of the community comes from Portuguese islands like Madeira and the Azores.
There are also many Brazilians living here. They add to the rich mix of cultures in Little Portugal.
Galician Neighbors
Lambeth also has a smaller group of people from Galicia, a region in Spain. There are about 2,000 Galicians in Lambeth.
Galicians speak the Galician language, which is very similar to Portuguese. It's easier for them to understand Portuguese than Spanish. Because of this, the Galician community has become a part of the larger Portuguese community in Lambeth. Friendships and even marriages between Galicians, Portuguese, and Brazilians are quite common.
Portuguese Roots in London
Many Portuguese people in London can trace their family history back to Madeira. A large part of the Little Portugal community comes from this beautiful island.
Other parts of London also have many Portuguese people. You can find them in the Golborne Road area in Notting Hill and around Ladbroke Grove.
