Peruvian American
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Part of a series of articles on |
 |
| Latinos and Hispanics in the United States |
|---|
| Groups |
| Asian Latinos · Colombian Americans · Cuban Americans · Dominican Americans Mexican Americans · Spanish Americans Peruvian Americans · Puerto Ricans |
| History |
| History of Mexican-Americans Latin nationalism |
| Religions |
| Hispanics and Religion · Christian Latinos Latino Jews · Latino Muslims |
| Political movements |
| Hispanics and Politics · Chicano Movement |
| Organizations |
| Association of Hispanic Arts Congressional Hispanic Caucus LULAC · NALFO · SHPE National Council of La Raza NALEO · MEChA · UFW |
| Culture |
| Hispanic Culture Literature · Studies · Art · Music |
| Languages |
| Spanish · Spanish in the U.S. French · Frespañol |
| Lists |
| Majority Hispanic U.S. Cities List of Puerto Rico-related topics Notable Hispanic Americans |
|
|
A Peruvian American is an immigrant or descendant of immigrants from Peru that arrived in the United States. The Peruvian Americans came here mainly because of political turmoil and economic hardships. They are a relatively recent ethnic group as most of them came after 1990. Over 70% of all Peruvian Americans were born outside the United States. Smaller but significant waves occurred earlier in San Francisco during the gold rush and the Metro Detroit area in the 1950s. Peruvians have settled throughout the United States but particularly in Paterson, New Jersey, New York City, and Miami, Florida. The reason why Peruvians have settled in Paterson is possibly because of the Peruvian consulate and the once thriving manufacturing industry. More recent Peruvian Americans have settled in Paterson because of the already growing Peruvian and Hispanic American community there. 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 Americans.
Peruvian Americans are mainly Mestizos or White. Some of the Mestizos are also mixed with Asian heritage, particularly Japanese or Chinese.
Over 90% of all Peruvian Americans are Roman Catholic. The chief saint is San Martin de Porres.
Peruvian food includes ceviche (raw fish cooked in lemon, the nation's most recognized dish. Peruvian cuisine is characterized for its incredible diversity, heralded by many to be Latin America's best; Peru's capital, Lima, was recently named by a worldwide committee on gastronomy to be the 'gastronomical capital of the Americas.' Since the Japanese and Chinese have settled in Peru, there is a strong Asian influence on the cuisine. There are chifas or Asian style Peruvian restaurants that serve typical Chinese or Japanese food with a Peruvian twist. Inca Kola, a soda that originated in Peru, is sold in many heavily concentrated Hispanic areas and has become a favorite among peruvians and non-peruvians alike.
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 national average of 24%. Their educational attainment and income well exceeds that of other Latinos.
