Ethnic Groups: Definition, Characteristics, and Examples

An ethnic group is a social category of people who share a common culture, language, history, traditions, and often a common geographic origin or ancestry. Members of an ethnic group typically identify with each other based on these shared characteristics and may have a sense of belonging and solidarity. Ethnic groups can be distinguished by factors such as race, nationality, religion, language, and customs. Examples of ethnic groups include the Han Chinese, Arabs, Native Americans, Maasai, Kurds, and many more.