Mongoloid

The term Mongoloid (or less often Sinoid) describes a proposed but easily identifiable race of humans, most of whom live in East Asia, Oceania or the Americas as natives. Taxonomy does recognize, and has always recognized, homo sapiens as a polytypic species. The Han Chinese are by far the largest Mongoloid group; indeed, they are the largest ethnic group of any race. Other Mongoloids include many smaller groups in Central Asia and the Arctic regions such as the Yakuts, Eskimos, Tibetans, and, of course, Mongolians.

The peoples of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are considered Mongoloid according to the four-race theory; however, they are quite genetically distinct from their neighbors to the north and may be considered a different race. This is also true of the American Indians.

Epicanthal folds and oblique palpable fissures are common among most Mongoloid individuals. Most exhibit Mongolian spot from birth to about age four. The vast majority have straight, black hair and dark brown almond-shaped eyes, and most have broad, relatively flat faces as well. Other traits often associated with Mongoloids include a supposedly high intelligence (although linking intelligence to race is often a controversial or even questionable issue; also see Race and intelligence and Model Minority) and a stoic, taciturn, unaggressive demeanor.

Since people with the disability Down syndrome have some superficial Mongoloid facial features, the term "Mongoloid" was once also used as a synonym for "retarded". This usage, once neutral, is now considered offensive.

Genetically, Mongoloid populations are considered to be a division of the Eurasiatic Supercluster, which comprises both Caucasoids (Western Eurasians) and Mongoloids (Eastern Eurasians). The other three major population clusters (or macro-races) of humanity are the Capoids, Negroids and Australoids. These various divisions of humanity have interbred throughout history and pre-history, making racial classification a more generalized form of taxonomy than an absolute one.

See also

• Negroid
• Caucasoid
• Australoid
• Capoid
• Eurasian
• Eurasiatic Supercluster
• Southern Eurasian Supercluster
• Sinoid
• Oriental
• Asian