Is Latin America called Latin? Indeed, in fact, this is part of the mainland South America, and the term “Latin” creates associations with Europe and Ancient Rome. We will try to answer all these questions in this article, referring to historical facts and geography.

History of Latin America: colonization and conversion

The countries that make up Latin America were created as colonies of European states. Since the 16th century, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, France and the Netherlands have been actively seizing lands. In the middle of the 19th century, the emerging young states became financially dependent on the United States. Some island countries became colonies of the United States.

Since the beginning of the 19th century, wars for independence from the colonialists began. Some of the first countries to gain freedom were Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. Brazil, a former Portuguese colony, managed almost without bloodshed. The Cuban Revolution of 1959 is widely known. Then the island states gained independence. The modern borders of Latin America were established only in the 40s of the XX century.

The countries of Latin America until the 20th century were called differently: "Indo-America", "Spanish America", "Ibo-America". It will be a big mistake to think that Latin America is geographically and territorially equal to South. It consists of:

• Mexico (country in North America).
• West Indies (islands).
• The mainland of South America and its island states.
• Countries located on the isthmus of Central America.

This list includes Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Guiana, Saint Martin, Argentina and other states. Thus, the name "Latin" cannot be explained geographically. Its origin is connected with the colonization of this region by Europeans.

The term "Latin America" ​​itself was fixed in the 30s. XX century. It was invented by the French Emperor Napoleon III. So he decided to call those parts of the continent whose territories were inhabited by immigrants from the Iberian Peninsula and France from the 15th to the 16th centuries.

Today it is the unofficial name of a group of countries, which is firmly entrenched in scientific and public circles.

The very type of colonization of these countries is called "Latin". The conquerors were carriers of Romance languages, originating from Latin. Therefore, most of the inhabitants of this region speak three languages ​​belonging to this group: Spanish, Portuguese or French. This is the main difference between Latin America and North America, which was mastered by the Anglo-Saxons and propagated by the English language.

The second reason for the name "Latin America" ​​follows from the first: the planting of a foreign language for the indigenous peoples took place simultaneously with their conversion to another religion - Catholicism. It is no coincidence that the Spanish conquistadors, having first landed on the coast of the future Spain, first of all celebrated Mass. Services in Catholicism are held in Latin, which is probably why Catholics in Russia used to be called "Latins".

The introduction of peoples to Christianity was one of the main tasks assigned to Columbus by the king and queen. Centuries later, Latin America remains a stronghold of the Catholic Church.

Who are Hispanics?

The most interesting thing is that Hispanics are not all Latin Americans, as it might seem at first. These are people who speak Spanish and Portuguese and live both in Latin America and in the USA, Great Britain, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Canada and other countries. Hispanics are usually immigrants. In a number of states they are disparagingly called Latinos. Their number is 600 million people, but this figure is approximate.

The term "Latin America" ​​is often used to refer to all the southern countries of America. In Brazil, this is how the Spanish-speaking countries of their mainland are called. But knowing exactly why Latin America is called Latin, it is no longer possible to make a mistake in the name of the group of countries in which they speak Romance languages.

With all due respect to a number of state and official languages ​​of Latin America, one should not forget that almost every state in this region also has local dialects. They were formed during the active assimilation of immigrant communities into the local culture. In addition, in response to the question what is the language in latin america preserved for many centuries, it is necessary to point to numerous Indian languages ​​and dialects, especially since many of them are of great interest to linguists and ethnographers.

Let's take a look at one of the languages ​​of Latin America. This is a unique language of the Zapotec Indians living in the territory of modern Mexico. The uniqueness of the language lies not only in the fact that it has as many as three dialects for 450 thousand people using it, but also in the fact that the ancient Zapotec writing has not yet been deciphered. At the same time, even representatives of the nationality itself cannot give an unambiguous answer to what exactly these or those symbols of the ancient language mean. Today, the Zapotecs have switched to the Latin alphabet.

What is the language in Latin America most and least common among Europeans? Over 233 million Latin Americans speak Spanish. It is state in Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and other countries of the continent. French is the least widely spoken. It is spoken by no more than 250,000 people in Guiana, also in the island states of the Caribbean. Distribution of European languages ​​of Latin America shows which states and on what scale colonized the continent for three centuries. The second most used among European languages ​​of Latin America is Portuguese. However, it is a state only in Brazil. However, the population of Brazil is a very large number, so more than 190 million people speak Portuguese in Latin America.

English is also considered the official language the language of Latin America such as Guyana and the Falkland Islands. By the way, the Falklands remain the site of a rather serious political conflict between Argentina and Great Britain. Here, in the early eighties, there were even active hostilities between the troops of the British Crown and the Argentine regular army, during which the Argentines suffered a serious defeat.

Another European language in Latin America is Dutch. It is spoken by about half a million people, most of whom live in the state of Suriname.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were active immigration flows from Europe to Latin America. This left its mark on the development of the language of Latin America. So in Argentina alone, over the past hundred years, a special language has appeared, which is a mixture of Spanish and Italian. This is due to the fact that several million ethnic Italians live in Argentina today, many of whom have assimilated with the local Hispanic population.

The Russian language is not alien to Latin America either, because there are a large number of descendants of immigrants from Russia who fled from the horrors of the revolution and civil war.

See also:

The richest culture of Latin America

When it comes to the culture of Latin America, the first thing that comes to mind to a resident of other continents is various Indian rituals, the Brazilian carnival, the Argentinean rodeo and, of course, football, which can be called a real Latin American religion.

Indigenous peoples of South America

Considering the indigenous population of South America, it is worth noting that the Latin American continent is the region of the planet where the Indians are allowed not only to live and develop freely, but also to occupy responsible leadership positions of national importance.

It includes parts of North and South America. The list of Latin American countries consists of thirty-three states and thirteen colonies. The area of ​​this region is 21 sq. million

Detailed map of Latin America

The development of all Latin American countries is different. They are inhabited by people of different nationalities, including Indians and Spaniards. Because of this, Latin American countries amaze with the variety of traditions and customs that are observed everywhere.

List of countries

List of countries in Latin America.

1. is one of the largest countries in the world. The country became famous for its love of football and an energetic dance called "tango". In Argentina, travelers are waiting for ancient monasteries, theaters and many kilometers of beaches of Buenos Aires.
2. Bolivia is a poor but safe country for tourists. To visit it, citizens of Russia and the population of the CIS countries will need a visa. On the territory of Bolivia there are six sites that are included in the UNESCO list.
3. Brazil is a country of carnivals and carelessness. It attracts millions of travelers from all over the world who want to relax under the scorching sun. .
   In this video, watch how to apply for a visa to Brazil.
   
4. Venezuela is the country with the highest waterfall in the world. The state is rich in national parks and protected areas. It is recommended to go on a trip from December to March. At this time, ideal climatic conditions reign.
5. Haiti is a state that has become famous because of its poverty. Development in the country has practically stopped. However, the unique tradition and culture of the people of Haiti attract tourists from all over the world.
6. Guatemala is a small state in Latin America, which has a rich history. Volcanoes and untouched nature are what attracts travelers to this place.
7. Honduras is a state that continues the list of Latin American countries. It consists of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. The main problem of the state is crime.
   
8. famous for its beaches and gentle sea. The official language is Spanish. Tourists are expected by a friendly population. It is recommended to travel to the Dominican Republic from December to March.
9. Colombia is a state that Russians do not need a visa to visit. You are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days. The vast plains of the country and the Andes mountains will not leave indifferent any traveler.
10. - a state famous for its diverse and magnificent beaches. The country has all the conditions that are required for scuba diving and surfing.
11. A country that has Spanish as its official language. Despite this, almost all employees of hotels, restaurants and shops are fluent in English. The holiday season in Cuba lasts from November to April.
12. - a state for visiting which residents of Russia and Ukraine can obtain a visa in electronic form. This country is a real paradise for diving and surfing lovers.
13. Nicaragua is a country with great political and economic problems. Despite this, it is a charming place to travel. Picturesque nature and diverse landscapes are the main advantages of the state.
    
14. Panama is an interesting country in Latin America, in which the well-known resort called Bocas del Toro is located. Panama will appeal to lovers of ecotourism and hiking;
    
15. Paraguay is a country where you need to get vaccinated against yellow fever. Colonial architecture is what attracts many tourists.
16. Peru is a country that can be proud of its rich ecosystem. Citizens of Russia and Ukraine do not need a visa to visit the country. It is allowed to stay in Peru without a visa for 90 days.
17. El Salvador is a state that is practically not focused on tourism. This is due to the activity of local volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. In El Salvador, volunteer programs became more prevalent after the disaster in 2001.
18. Uruguay is one of the smallest countries in Latin America. It is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the constant flow of tourists, Uruguay is absolutely safe.
    
19. Ecuador is a country that is located not only on the mainland, but also on the Galapagos Islands. Russians and the population of the CIS countries do not need a visa to visit the country. The permitted period of stay is 90 days. Ecuador is one of the safest countries in the world.
20. Chile is a state for visiting which Russians do not need to apply for a visa. Lake Chungara and Miscanti are the main attractions.
21. Martinique is a state located on an island. The main attraction of the camp is nature - beaches and bays. There are all conditions for water sports or swimming.
22. Guadeloupe is a country that requires a visa to visit. The state consists of eight islands, in which there are many protected areas.
23. - a country rich in Spanish architecture and ancient fortresses located on the sea coast. Tourists are attracted by seasonal competitions in fishing and canoeing.
    
24. St. Barts is an island that strikes with its beauty. Mostly oligarchs of different nationalities, including Russians, live on its territory. High prices are the reason for the lack of huge masses of tourists.
25. Saint Martin is one of the small but inhabited islands in the world. Tourists are attracted by kilometers of beaches, blue and warm sea, all the conditions necessary for diving, fishing and water sports.

French Guiana location on the map

Latin America is a region located in the Western Hemisphere, stretching from the US-Mexico border in the north to Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica in the south, stretching over 12,000 kilometers in length. It includes the southern part of the mainland North America, Central America, the islands of the West Indies and the mainland South America. From the west it is washed by the Pacific Ocean, from the east by the Atlantic. The countries of Latin America are subdivided into 33 states and 13 colonies and dependent territories, and the total area of ​​this region is 21 million square meters. km, which is more than 15% of the world's land mass.

The name "Latin America" ​​was introduced by the French Emperor Napoleon III as a political term. Latin America and Indochina were considered then as territories in the sphere of special national interests of the Second Empire. This term originally referred to those parts of America in which Romance languages ​​are spoken, that is, territories inhabited by immigrants from the Iberian Peninsula and France during the 15th-16th centuries. Sometimes this region is also called Ibero-America.

The Cordillera belt, which in South America is called the Andes, is the world's longest system of ridges and mountain ranges, which stretches along the Pacific coast for 11 thousand km, the largest peak of which is the Argentine Aconcagua (6959 m) near the border with Chile, and it is here (in Latin America) is the highest active volcano on Earth - Cotopaxi (5897 m), located near Quito and the highest waterfall in the world - Angel (979 m), located in Venezuela. And on the Bolivian-Peruvian border, there is the largest of the alpine lakes in the world - Titicaca (3812 m, 8300 sq. Km). Also here is the longest river in the world - the Amazon (6.4 - 7 thousand km), which is also the most full-flowing on the planet. The largest lake-lagoon Macaraibo (13.3 thousand sq. km) is located in the north-west of Venezuela. The animal world of Latin America is rich and varied, nowhere else are sloths, armadillos, American ostriches, guanaco llamas found.

Since the time of the conquest, European conquerors have forcibly planted their languages ​​in Latin America, therefore, in all its states and territories, Spanish has become the state language, with the exception of Brazil, where the official language is Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese languages ​​function in Latin America in the form of national varieties (variants), which are characterized by the presence of a number of phonetic, lexical and grammatical features (most of them in colloquial communication), which is explained, on the one hand, by the influence of Indian languages, and on the other hand, relative autonomy of their development. In the Caribbean, the official languages ​​are mainly English and French (Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana), and in Suriname, Aruba and the Antilles (Netherlands) Islands - Dutch. The Indian languages ​​​​after the conquest of America were supplanted, and today only Quechua and Aymara in Bolivia and Peru, and Guarani in Paraguay are official languages, they, like some others (in Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Chile), have a written language and published literature. In a number of Caribbean countries, in the process of interethnic communication, the so-called Creole languages ​​arose, which were formed as a result of incomplete mastery of European languages, usually English and French. In general, a significant part of the population of Latin America is characterized by bilingualism (bilingualism) and even multilingualism.

The religious structure of the population of Latin America is marked by the absolute predominance of Catholics (more than 90%), since during the colonial period Catholicism was the only mandatory religion, and belonging to other religions was persecuted by the Inquisition.

The history of Latin America is rich, interesting and varied. Once upon a time, there were ancient civilizations of the Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, Mochica and many other cultures of Latin America, subsequently conquered by the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro. Later there was a struggle for Independence from the Spanish crown, led by Padre Hidalgo, Francisco Miranda, Simon Bolivar and José San Martin, and its latest history, with drug lords, juntas, guirelleros guerrillas and terrorist organizations.

Dozens of diverse national parks, many archaeological sites, cities with colonial architecture and other interesting places are located in this region. You can watch small short video clips from the most interesting places in Latin America at

On the territory of Latin America with an area of ​​21 million square meters. km there are 46 states, more or less different from each other.

States of Latin America

The largest and most politically significant Latin American states are several countries.

Brazil
It is the largest state in Latin America with the largest population. The country is attractive for tourists with nightclubs, impenetrable jungle and impressive waterfalls.

Mexico
A unique country, practically the most popular among travelers. It is famous for the most popular beaches in the world, diving, ancient Mayan and Aztec buildings.

Argentina
A country rich in a variety of attractions and entertainment (corrida, predator feeding, wine festivals, motorcycle races, dolphin shows, etc.) The amazing nature of national parks with waterfalls and rare animals, skiing is an inalienable advantage of Argentina.

Costa Rica
This country is valued for its unique nature: volcanoes, nature reserves, mountain slopes, lakes, underwater national parks and exotic beaches.

Venezuela
This Latin American state attracts tourists with its unshakable ecosystem. The country can be proud of the highest waterfall in the world - Angel, rain forests of the Orinoco River and a wide variety of flora.

Peru
This is a mysterious country with objects of historical significance - Cusco, Machu Picchu.

Chile
A state with beautiful nature, popular ski resorts.

Bolivia
A multinational high-mountain country with salt hotels and deserts, mountain lake Titicaca.

Colombia
This state is famous for its luxurious resorts, the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, frequent festivals and fairs.

Less developed countries in terms of economy and tourism include Panama, Uruguay, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Guiana and Guatemala.

Island States of Latin America

The island states of Latin America include the countries of the West Indies:

Barbados;
- Grenada;
- Dominican Republic;
- Dominica;
- St. Vincent;
- Grenadines;
- St. Kitts;
- Nevis;
- Saint Lucia;
- Jamaica;
- Trinidad;
- Tobago;
- Antigua;
- Barbuda;
- The Bahamas is a tiny but rich state, with a high standard of living and economy, it is famous for its luxurious hotels and pink flamingos;
- Haiti is practically the poorest country in the world: corruption and dictatorship do not give prosperity to the state, and frequent earthquakes only aggravate the economic situation;
- Cuba is distinguished by inexpensive shopping, cigars, rum, as well as developed surfing and water skiing.

The world of Latin America is unusual and unique, as it is characterized not only by an interesting style of communication between people, but also by climatic features, and unusually beautiful nature.