Latinoamericanos

Latinoamericanos is a term used in Spanish to refer to people from Latin America or of Latin American origin. Latin America generally includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the Caribbean where Romance languages are dominant, notably Spanish and Portuguese.

The category encompasses a broad range of nationalities, ethnic identities, and cultural traditions. Although many Latin American societies share historical experiences—pre-Columbian civilizations, colonization by Spain and Portugal, independence movements, and ongoing migration—contemporary identities are shaped by processes of mestizaje, diaspora, and social change. Many communities preserve Indigenous languages and practices alongside national cultures.

Language and culture: The majority speak Spanish or Portuguese, with numerous Indigenous languages still spoken. Latin American culture is diverse and regional, with influences from Indigenous peoples, African traditions, and European heritage expressed in music, literature, cuisine, religion, and daily life.

Demography and diaspora: The region contains hundreds of millions of people across its countries, and significant Latin American communities exist in the United States, Spain, Canada, and other countries. Migration has shaped demographics, labor markets, and transnational ties within the Latin American world and beyond.

Terminology: In Spanish, latinoamericanos refers to people from Latin America. The terms Hispanic and Latino can overlap but emphasize different aspects: Hispanic commonly refers to Spanish-speaking origins; Latino/Latina emphasizes geographic origin in Latin America. Brazil, a Portuguese-speaking country, is Latin American but not Hispanic, illustrating the distinction.