Human migration is physical movement by
humans from one area to another, sometimes over long distances or in large groups. Historically this movement was
nomadic, often causing significant conflict with the indigenous population and their
displacement or
cultural assimilation. Only a few
nomadic people have retained this form of lifestyle in modern times. Migration has continued under the form of both voluntary migration within one's region, country, or beyond and involuntary migration. People who migrate into a territory are called
immigrants, while at the departure point they are called
emigrants. Small populations migrating to develop a territory considered void of settlement depending on historical setting, circumstances and perspective are referred to as
settlers or
colonists, while populations displaced by immigration and colonization are called
refugees. The rest of this article will cover sense of a "change of residence", rather than the temporary migrations of travel, tourism, pilgrimages, or the commute.