Compared to many other countries, the native population in Portugal is quite homogeneous. Since the end of the Moorish period in the Algarve in 1249 the entire country has shared a common Roman Catholic religion and a common Portuguese language. The great past of the Portuguese Empire is the most important foundation of the Portuguese identity.
That’s why Portugal, so far, has been spared major ethnic or religious conflicts in modern times. This is despite the significant immigration from the former colonies after the end of the colonial regime, but these people share the same cultural background (language and religion).
Local residents
Year by year millions of tourists from all over the world come to the Algarve to spend their holidays here or to enjoy a long weekend. Today’s busy tourist scene sometimes obscures the reality of those people living and working in the area for generations.
Source: "People of the Algarve" - algarve-portal.com
