Perhaps the most commonly recognizable concept of the Latin world today refers to Latin America, that is to say, all of the Americas that are under Spanish, Portuguese, French, and other Latin-derived influences as opposed to the Anglo-Saxon United States or the largely Anglo Canada (which has a significant French minority).

The term Latin America came into common usage in the 19th century, distinguishing it from other parts of the Americas based on cultural heritage, since much of Central and South America was colonized by the Spanish and the Portuguese, both of them Romance nations with a strong connection in language and culture to ancient Rome. Latin America is often stereotyped in narrow ways, but it is a very diverse culture, incorporating both Romance and other elements, including African, Asian, and indigenous cultures. Also, while it is commonly applied as a blanket term, it is important to remember that Latin America is made up of many different countries and nations, often with starkly different cultures, habits and persuasions.

The region was under European (mainly Spanish and Portuguese) colonial control until the early 19th century, when Latin American independence movements sprung up, and through the efforts of local heroes such as the famed Simon Bolivar, many of the Latin American countries that we know today fought successfully for their independence from Europe.

Latin American cultures have contributed significantly to all kinds of human cultural endeavor, including music, dance, and other forms of art. For more information about different styles of Latin American music, check out the “Latin Music” tab above!