Portugal, People and Society

The Portuguese people reflect the influence of diverse ethnic groups. Since prehistoric times the Iberian Peninsula has been settled by many peoples, including Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, and later, Muslim Arabs and Berbers. Centuries of assimilation have imbued the Portuguese people with a remarkable degree of homogeneity. In more recent times, immigrants from Africa, Brazil, and Asia have given Portugal a more multicultural character.