|
WHAT DOES "LATIN AMERICA"MEAN?
he term Latin America was first used in the context of French foreign
policy in the 1850s to cover the lands that were former Spanish and Portuguese
colonies, as well as the French- and Spanish-speaking populations in the
Caribbean. Today,Latin America continues to refer to the vast area
that includes Mexico and the countries in Central America, South America,
and the Caribbean. Within Latin America exist many distinct and diverse
peoples, cultures, and languages, many of which are not "Latin,"of course. Indigenous, European, African, and to a smaller extent Asian,
heritages are all found in Latin America. The majority of Latin Americans
are of mestizo or mixed heritage. Each nation is the product of a unique
set of historical and cultural influences.
|
|
![](/file/15279/The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art.iso/pc/data/latinam/images/lahistm.gif)
Pre-Columbian
Spanish Colonial
Post Independence
| |