The term "Caucasoid" historically refers to one of the three major racial classifications used in anthropology, alongside Mongoloid and Negroid. It was originally based on physical characteristics, such as skin color, hair type, and facial features, and was often associated with populations from Europe, the Middle East, and parts of North Africa. Today, the concept of race is understood as a social construct rather than a strict biological classification. Modern genetics shows that human variation is continuous and does not fit neatly into these categories. As a result, the use of "Caucasoid" has declined in favor of more accurate and inclusive terms.