Race is a social construct used to categorize humans into groups based primarily on perceived physical traits such as skin color, hair texture, facial features, and eye shape. These groupings often correspond to large, geographically separated populations historically labeled as races, such as "African," "European," or "Asian" races
. The concept of race originated in the 17th century during European exploration and colonization and evolved as a way to classify and stratify human populations. Although initially linked to physical differences, modern science recognizes that race has no inherent biological or genetic basis; genetic variation within so-called racial groups is often greater than between them. Instead, race is understood as a cultural and social invention that has been used to establish social hierarchies and justify differential treatment, including racism
. Race differs from ethnicity, which refers to shared cultural traits such as language, customs, history, and beliefs rather than physical characteristics. While race is often seen as inherited physical traits, ethnicity is learned or chosen cultural identity
. In summary, race is a historically and socially constructed classification system based on physical appearance, lacking a firm biological foundation, and deeply intertwined with social and political contexts
