One of the most recognizable components of modern Latin culture, identified as Latin America, has been Latin music. Despite the popular misconceptions of some, Latin American music is not uniform and homogeneous; it is very diverse, and varies from country to country, and ethnicity to ethnicity. It incorporates many different genres, styles, rhythms, and musical traditions, from the flute music of the Andes to the Cuban habanera and the Brazilian Samba, and many more.

Latin American music cannot be characterized as having any particular style influenced mainly by any one ethnic group, i.e. White European, African, Asian, indigenous, etc., but it is rather a myriad of these styles, flowing together, just like these different cultures have “flowed together” over the centuries.

One of the most popular styles of Latin American music is Latin Jazz, which brings together jazz with many other styles indigenous to Latin America, or imported from Europe, the Caribbean, North America, and Africa. Samba and Bossa Nova are sub-genres of Latin Jazz.

The island nation of Cuba has been one of the most prolific contributors to Latin American music throughout its existence, with distinct styles that combine European and African sounds and rhythms. One of the most famous and sophisticated genres of Cuban music is the habanera, which by many is thought to be the forefather of the tango, and has influenced many composers in the 19th and 20th centuries.

If you want further information about Latin music, you can check out the comprehensive article database on the subject at About.com.