The population of Roma or gypsies is estimated today to be about 250,000 to 300,000 in the Czech Republic and about 8 million in Europe. Historically, they are said to have come from India and then settled in Turkey, Greece and the Balkans between 12 -15th century. With the Turkish and Mongol expansion, they spread throughout Central Europe and now all over Europe. They are the third most numerous national group exterminated by the Nazis at Auschwitz after the Jews and Poles. Nearly 200,000 to as many as 1.5 million of them had perished in their “Gypsy Camp.” They are distinctive for their dark skin and exotic looks. Their larger families, informal norms and sometimes language aren't generally in harmony with the majority norms and values, which led to them living in closed groups.
