4. IMMIGRATION IN SPAIN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMMIGRATION IN SPAIN - Many centuries ago, numerous settlemets were established on the Iberian Peninsula by peoples from across the Mediterranean like the Phoenicians or the Greeks. - Later, came the Roman, Visigoth and Arab invasions. - In the 1990s: -
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There was a huge increase in foreign immigration. Immigrants were attracted by the possibility of working in Spain and also saw it as a way of entering the European Union.
Today: -
5.7 million immigrants live in Spain. There may be one million more people if immigrants without official papers are also included. The origins of the immigrants are very varied: -
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By country: -
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From European Union (43%) From Latin America (26%) From Africa (19%) There are large numbers of immigrants from Morocco and Romania. From Latin America countries such as Ecuador, Colombia and Argentina.
Many of these immigrants live in big cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, MĂĄlaga nd so on) Many of the immigrants who come from developed European countries: -
such as United Kingdom They are older people who settle in Spain when they retire. The live on the coast and in AndalucĂa where they ejoy the lifestyle and climate.
4. IMMIGRATION IN SPAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION - Sex distribution: - There are more men than women in the immigrant population among immigrants from Africa. - The proportion of women is higher among immigrants from Latin America and Easern Europe.
- Age distribution: - Most immigrants are of working age. - People between 22 and 44 years of age represent about 50% of the total foreign population.
4. IMMIGRATION IN SPAIN THE EFFECTS OF IMMIGRATION ON SOCIETY - Positive effects: - The increase in the birth rate in recent years - The arrival of a substantial workforce in agriculture, tourism, building and caring for old people. - Immigrants make an important economic contribution through the taxes they pay. - They helped to create a more diverse culture.
- Problems: - Mafias bring immigrants into the country illegalyand exploit them after their arrival. - Illegal immigrants live in a very precarious situation. - Immigrants may face xenophobic and racis attitudes and become marginalised, especially if they do not speak good Spanish.