Ethnicity Around the World

Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups

• A common attribute that can be used to define an ethnicity or ethnic group is a shared culture, language, history, or ancestry.
• The term often used interchangeably with ethnicity, particularly in cases of ethnic nationalism, is nationality.
• Ethnicity is often construed as a social construct, culturally and historically created, rather than a biological or genetic fact.
• A common characteristic that ethnic groups may share is a sense of community, identity, and shared experiences.
• Individuals or groups may become part of an ethnic group through various means, including adoption, assimilation, or self-identification.