Latin America
What is latin america?
Key facts
| Definition (RAE) | Set of American countries where languages derived from Latin are spoken.[2] |
|---|---|
| Languages | Spanish, Portuguese, and French.[2] |
| Basis | Countries colonized by Spain, Portugal, or France.[1] |
| Alternative focus | Cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are spoken.[3] |
| Related terms | Hispanoamérica (Spanish-speaking only) and Iberoamérica (includes Brazil).[2] |
Latin America is the set of American countries where Romance languages—mainly Spanish and Portuguese, and in some definitions French—predominate. It is a political and cultural construct, not a formal jurisdiction.
Context
Latin America is the name given to the set of American countries where Romance languages predominate, especially Spanish and Portuguese, and in a broader definition also French [2]. The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) considers it correct and distinguishes it from Hispanoamérica and Iberoamérica for more specific uses [2]. The concept is a political construct based on countries colonized by Spain, Portugal, or France [1]. Some sources describe it as a cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are spoken [3]. A broader geographic scope extends it to the south of the United States, including the Caribbean and the Guianas [3].
Documented claims
Questions and answers
Which countries are included in Latin America?
The countries included are those in the Americas where Spanish or Portuguese is the predominant language, and in a broader definition also French-speaking areas like Haiti and French overseas territories [1].
Is Canada in Latin America?
No, Canada is not part of Latin America because its predominant languages are English and French, but not a Romance language in the sense used for the region [2].
What is the difference between Latin America and Hispanoamérica?
Hispanoamérica includes only Spanish-speaking countries, while Latin America also includes Portuguese-speaking Brazil and, in some definitions, French-speaking areas [2].
Sources
- Latinoamérica - Concepto, países, cultura, ciencia y turismo — concepto.de (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- ¿que es américa latina? concepto y extensión de su ... — dialnet.unirioja.es (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Tras las huellas del nombre: la historia de América Latina y ... — caf.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)