1. Why is Latin America Known as Latin America?
Unit: Latin America

2. Where is Latin America?
Mexico, The Caribbean, Central America, and South America make up Latin America
Latin America is located in the Western Hemisphere and in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres

3. Language of Latin America
The most commonly spoken language in Latin America is Spanish
Throughout Latin America, there are different dialects of Spanish
English is also a major language in Latin America

4. Religion of Latin America
The major religion in Latin America is Christianity

6. Colonization of Mexico
Hernando Cortes landed on the Mexican coast in 1519, this became known as the Spanish Conquest
Gold and silver contributed to the success of the Spanish empire
The Spanish brought their language and their religion

7. Colonial Central America
Central America is a cultural hearth – a place from which important ideas spread
After the Spanish conquered Mexico, they conquered Central America and ruled until the 19th century
Although Central America was ruled by Spain, the Caribbean was settled and claimed by many European powers
The Spanish, French, British, Dutch, and Danish all claimed islands in the Caribbean

8. Colonization of South America
The Incas built their civilization in the Andes Mountain region in South America
The Spanish conquered the Incas with the hopes of claiming the gold and silver
The Spanish forced the natives to work and also forced their language and religion on the natives
Spanish rule lasted for almost 300 years

9. Colonization of Brazil
The Portuguese colonized Brazil beginning in 1500
The Portuguese conquered Brazil in the hope of finding gold or silver
When they did not find gold or silver, they cleared the forests and created sugar plantations
The Portuguese put the natives to work and also brought in slaves from Africa to help work the sugar plantations

10. Independence In 1821, Mexico achieved independence from Spain
Because Spain controlled Mexico, Mexico controlled Central America. So, when Mexico became independent, Central America declared its independence in 1823
Many nations in South America gained their independence in the 1800s, but hundreds of years of colonialism did have effects such as strong militaries, underdeveloped economies, and social class divisions
Brazil remained a colony of Portugal until 1822