Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Between the early 19th century and WWII, ~83 million migrants crossed oceans to five major destination regions. The flows reshaped demographics, economies, and cultures worldwide.
| Destination | Period | Est. Arrivals | Top Source Countries | Primary Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1820–1920 | 60 million | Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, Austria-Hungary | Agriculture, manufacturing, railroads, mining, urban services |
| Canada | 1867–1939 | 7 million | UK, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, Poland, Scandinavia, USA | Prairie farming, railways, mining, timber, urban industry |
| Latin America | 1820–1930 | 10–12 million | Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Japan (Brazil/Peru), Middle East (Levant) | Coffee/beef (Argentina/Brazil), nitrates (Chile), oil (Mexico), railroads |
| Australia | 1788–1939 | 5 million | UK/Ireland (convicts + free), Italy, Germany, China (gold rushes) | Wool, gold, wheat, mining, manufacturing |
| New Zealand | 1840–1939 | 1 million | UK, Ireland, Australia, China (gold), Dalmatia (gum-diggers) | Sheep farming, gold, timber, dairy, frozen meat |
These migrations built the demographic foundations of the modern Anglosphere & Latin America—languages, institutions, genetics, and cuisines still reflect 19th-century steering currents.