Today, more than 7 billion people live on our planet. Scientists predict that by 2050 this figure could increase to 9 billion. We are all alike, and each of us is unique. People differ in appearance, skin color, culture and character. Today we will talk about the most obvious difference in our population - the color of the skin.
The classification of human races is as follows:
- Caucasoid (white people);
- nongoloid (with a characteristic narrow slit of the eyes);
- Negroid (black people).
That is, our entire population is divided into 3 types, and the inhabitants of the continents somehow belong to these three races. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Caucasian population
- Caucasoid. White people are a large group whose habitat initially included not only Europe, but also the Middle East and even North India.
- Physical signs. Most Caucasians are people with the whitest skin tone (the tone of which,however, varies depending on where people live). Northern people are distinguished not only by fair skin, but also by a light shade of eyes and hair, however, the further south a person lives, the darker his eyes and hair. This transition is especially noticeable among the Indians. Almost all Caucasians are tall or medium height, have large eyes and dense body hair.
About 40% of the total population of our planet are white people. Now Caucasians are scattered all over the earth, but they mainly live in Europe, the USA, India, North Africa, where the majority of the population is made up of Arabs, also belonging to the Caucasian race. It includes the Egyptians.
Main types of Caucasians
White people are divided into the following subspecies: Indo-Mediterranean, Balkan-Caucasian and Middle European. The latter is the most numerous of all.
The Indo-Mediterranean race is characterized by a relatively thin complexion and narrow features, combined with short stature. There are downright pygmy representatives of this group.
The Balkan-Caucasian race is more massive and has large, broad features. The characteristic hump on the nose, according to some, is associated with a large lung capacity and a developed chest. Their hair color is predominantly dark, as are their eyes.
The European race of people also includes a Middle Caucasoid subspecies - this is a cross between the above groups. The facial features of this group vary widely.
If we consider the issueCaucasoid classifications are narrower, they can be divided into three groups - northern, transitional and southern with many subgroups and external features. However, all of them are conditional, and visiting the habitats of any of them, you will understand that the similarity between the people of this group is relative.
Blue eyes are a sign of Caucasian race
Blue eyes in humans are the result of a mutation of the 86 gene. This mutation first arose in people living off the coast of the Black Sea about 10,000 years ago.
People with white skin and blue eyes are very common, especially in the northern corners of our planet, but other races lack this beauty. Although recently you can see Negroids with blue or blue eyes. Scientists believe that in this case, a blue-eyed Caucasian must be present among the ancestors of the child.
Mongoloid race
The Mongoloid race is located in Asia, Indonesia, part of Siberia and even in America. These are people with yellow skin and a characteristic narrow slit of dark eyes. In outdated terminology, this race is called "yellow". These are Yakuts, Buryats, Asian Eskimos, Indians and many others. In addition to the narrow slit of the eyes, this race is distinguished by a wide, bony face, black hair and an almost complete absence of vegetation on the body (beard, mustache).
External features are due to the climatic conditions in which the race originally lived. So, the narrow slits of the eyes are designed to protect from the wind, and the vast nasal cavity performedimportant function of heating the air entering the lungs. Growth is mostly low.
Types of the Mongoloid race
In turn, the Mongoloid race is divided into:
- Northern Mongoloid.
- Asian continental.
- American (or Indian).
The first group includes, for example, Mongols and Buryats. These are typical representatives of the Mongoloid race, however, with somewhat blurry features and a lighter shade of skin, hair and eyes.
The Asian continental group living in Southeast Asia (Malays, Probes, etc.) is characterized by a narrower face and sparse facial hair. Growth - significantly lower than other representatives of this race.
The American group finds a connection with both one and the other group. At the same time, there are some features "borrowed" from the Caucasian race. This group is characterized by having the darkest, brownish-yellowish skin tone, almost black eyes and hair. The face is broad, the nose protrudes strongly.
Negroids in the classification of races
The Negroid race is perhaps the most recognizable even to the naked eye. People with dark skin (sometimes it has a golden brown tint), thick hair and characteristic wide lips, with a prominent mucous membrane and nose. Growth varies widely here, from the highest to the smallest.
The main habitat is South and Central Africa, although historical factsprove that initially the representatives of this race lived in North, and not equatorial Africa. Now North Africa is mainly inhabited by the Caucasian race.
Currently, the Negroid race can be found in various parts of the world - America, the countries of the former USSR, France, Brazil, etc. Due to miscegenation, the line between racial differences is steadily blurred, which is especially evident in blacks, who have high birth rates.
Interesting fact: the first inhabitants of the Sahara belonged to the Negroid race.
The appearance of Negroids was formed against the backdrop of the climate of their historical homeland - dark skin protects from the sun, wide nostrils provide good heat dissipation, and plump lips with protruding mucous allow you to get rid of excess moisture. Negroids in their historical homeland are divided by skin tone, the width of the lips and nose, and these species are quite numerous. However, some are sure: there is only one variety of the Negroid race - the Australoids.
Is there an Australoid race?
Yes, Austroloids exist, although they were often classified as Negroes. Today it is believed that Australoids are a related race with Negroids, which makes up only 0.3% of the total population of the Earth. The inhabitants of Australia and blacks are really similar - the same dark skin, thick curly hair, dark eyes and large teeth. They are distinguished by high growth. However, some still consider them a separate race, which may not be without reason.
Australoids are also divided into types -Australian, Vedoid, Ainu, Polynesian, Andaman types. They live on the mainland in tribes and are not much different from their ancestors in terms of education and living conditions. Another type disappeared in the 19th century, and now the Ainu species is threatened with extinction. Scientists believe that, being the least numerous race, Australoids will disappear much faster than other types of races, as a result of intermarriage.
Conclusion
However, scientists argue that after thousands of years, the difference between races will no longer have any weight, because they will be completely wiped off the face of the earth. As a result of numerous mixed marriages (such children are called sambos or mestizos, depending on what types of races the child combines), the border between historically established external features is melting. Previously, races retained their uniqueness through isolation, which is currently absent. According to biological data, the genes of the latter predominate in the marriages of Europeans and Mongoloids with blacks.
