Españoles en el extranjero a comienzos del siglo XXI. El caso de Iberoamérica. Un colectivo olvidado.

Inmigration is a frequent issue in the media as well as in the personal encounters of people. The social interest of this topic is evident. According to official figures in 2001 there were in Spain 1.1 million foreigners, that is, near 3 percent of the total population of Spain and less than half of the ones of the EU.s countries. We continue having a low migration rate. though this is not impediment for its growing interest to study it. To this, it is also strange to learn that no body talks of the Spaniards living abroad except at electoral limes. At the beginnings of year 2000, there were 1.57 millions, much more than the immigrants. If we had them in mind, our behavior with the foreigners, especially iberoamericans, would be different, more just and solidary. Therefore, in this paper, I try to explain the number, causes, characteristics and consequences of the Spaniards abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]