Latin America’s Culture: Languages and Religion

Essential Question How did the Spanish and Portuguese influence the languages and religions in Latin America?

Language Languages: Nearly all people in Latin America speak……Spanish There are a few exception: People in Haiti and French Guiana speak…..French People in Brazil speak …..Portuguese Question 1: Why do you think people in Haiti and Brazil speak the languages they do?

Treaty of Tordesillas

Green: Spanish Blue: French Orange: Portuguese

Religion Latin America’s main religion is Catholicism Over 90% of Latin America’s people are Roman Catholic Catholicism unifies Latin America’s beliefs. Ex: They celebrate the same holidays. Question 2: Why do you think Latin America’s main religion is Catholicism?

Portugal’s Religion Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census)

Spain’s Religion Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%

Latin America’s Cultural Groups Most Latin American Culture is a blend of the cultures of three groups: Native Americans Africans Europeans Question 3: Why do you think these are the three main cultural groups in Latin America?

Ethnic Groups in Latin America European African Indegena (Native) Mestizo (Native and European) Mullato (African and European)

Major Ethnic Groups Mestizos - People of mixed Native American and Spanish descent Make up a large portion of the populations of Mexico, Central America, Chile, Paraguay. Mestizo culture is mostly Spanish Catholic along with some Native American traditions.

Mulattos - Mixed African and European ancestry. Cuban people are Mulatto

Indegenas – Native American ancestry. Majority of the population in Bolivia, Peru, and Guatemala.

The islands of Haiti and Jamaica have people with all African decent. Haitian Foreign Ministers 

Some places in Latin America have people with all European ancestry. Ex: 75% of Costa Rica’s population is all European descent. Question 4: What do you think caused there to be such a mixture of cultures in Latin America?

Diego Rivera

Frida Kahlo

Music Latin American music is lively and colorful. Samba music From Portugal, is a mix of African and Portuguese music Tango music Mixture of Spanish and Cuban music Mambo, Rumba, and Salsa Mix of African and Spanish Music

Green: Spanish Blue: French Orange: Portuguese

Writing to Learn Latin America’s Language and Religion 4-5 Sentences Look at the Maps Which religion does most of Latin America follow? Why? (2-3 Sentences) Which language do most Latin American countries speak? Why? (2-3 Sentences)