Indo Spanish
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| Indo Spanish |
|---|
| Total population |
|
29,000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Madrid, Ceuta, Melilla, Canary Islands |
| Languages |
| Spanish, Hindi, Sindhi, Punjabi, English |
| Religions |
| Hinduism, Sikhism |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin, Desi, Gyspy Spaniards, Anglo-Indians |
The Indian community of Spain number only 30,000, less than 0.1% of the population. Most Indians originally travelled to Spain from Africa, while others came from India and even Japan and Southeast Asia.
Sindhi traders and shopkeepers thrived in the freeports of the Spanish Canary Islands of Las Palmas and Tenerife following the imposition of importand foreign exchange restrictions in Spain after World War-II.
They conducted a brisk trade with the North African continent from Las Palmas. When Ceuta and Melilla, parts of Spanish Morocco,were also declared as free ports, Indian businessmen set up trading houses and retail shop scatering to the tourist trade [1]
The next wave of Indians to go to Spain were descendants of Indian laborers from former Spanish colony of Equatorial Guinea. By the mid-seventies, there were over 200 Indian trading houses in Ceuta and Melilla. With the liberalisation in import policies introduced in the eighties, businessactivity shifted to the port cities of Malaga and Barcelona. Madrid also attracted many Indian Businessmen.
The Indian community in Spain enjoys a good reputation. Indians are considered hard working, non-political and peaceful. The Indian community has integrated well with Spanish society. Sindhis and Sikhs form the majority of the Indian community. Spain has recognized three entities of Hinduism.IRF 2006, Spain The community celebrates various Indian festivals. Rath Yatras are also taken out by members of the Hare Rama Hare Krishna movement with the enthusiastic support of the Indian communit. There are temples in Valencia, Ceuta and Canary Islands.
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