The most recent LATINAMERICA Press bulletin reports that the results of the Brazilian Census of 2000, released in May, show the indigenous population increased by 138 percent since the last census held in 1991. “The statistics showed that 701,462 people, 0.4 percent of the population, identified themselvesas indigenous, representing 225 native peoples speaking a total of 180 languages”, the bulletin stated. Among the reasons cited for this surprising growth are the work being done by indigenous groups to promote and preserve their cultures; increasing cases of self-affirmation leading more Brazilians to acknowledge their indigenous roots; and also the migration of indigenous peoples to cities, where they are more easily counted. The category of 'Indian' first appeared on the 1991 census. Prior to 1991, the only racial categories were 'black', 'yellow', 'white'and 'mulatto'.
