1. Latin America

2. What is “Latin” about Latin America?
The name “Latin America” comes from the Latin origin of the languages now most widely spoken in this area (Spanish & Portuguese).
33 countries:
Central America: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
North America: Mexico
South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay
Caribbean: Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico (U.S.)
Other small island nations

3. Why Is Latin America such a Diverse Region?
Conquest
After 1492, Europeans imposed their civilization on Native Americans.
Immigration
Since the late 1800s, immigrants from Europe and Asia have contributed to the diversity.
Intermarriage
As Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans mingled, they created new cultures.
Mestizaje – Mixing of cultures

4. Cultural Characteristics
Indian civilizations - Aztec, Inca, Maya
African traditions - Slaves
Influences of European colonization -Spanish, Portuguese, French, British
Mestizos – mixed European & Native American
Mulatto – mixed African & European
Predominance of the Roman Catholic religion

5. Diversity
Chile

6. Diversity
Colombia

7. Indigenous Cultures
Nicaragua

8. Costa Rica
Peru

9. Uruguay
Nicaragua

10. Gauchos in Argentina

11. Ethnic Diversity in Latin America - Maya

13. Inca