Latin American Culture & Traditions | What is Latin America? – Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

Video Transcript

Latin America Facts

Latin America is a large region extending from Mexico in the north to Argentina in the south. It’s full of diversity, culture, and traditions and is known for the hospitality and happiness of its people. Latinos are also famous for their dancing, their varied and tasteful dishes, and their beautiful tropical landscapes.

Until the 19th-century, most Latin-American countries were colonies of Spain and Portugal. This European influence was very important and contributed to the language and religion, as well as the culture and food. Latin America is a combination of European and indigenous customs and practices, along with traditions brought by Africans to the continent during colonial times.

Let’s review some quick facts:

• The region has a population of over 600 million people.
• Portuguese is spoken in Brazil, but Spanish is the main language in most Latin American countries. However, different accents, words, and phrases create local adaptations and identities.
• The population is a mixture of different ethnicities. The majority identify themselves as mestizos, a mixture of European, indigenous, and African ancestors.
• Chile and Argentina are large wine producers.
• Brazil is the world’s largest coffee and sugar producer.
• Colombia produces about 90% of the world’s emeralds.
• Venezuelan women have won more beauty titles than any other country.
• Soccer is really popular in the region, and there is strong, passionate support for the local and national teams.

With so many different influences and local variations, the many traditions, foods, and cultural elements of the entire region can be overwhelming. Therefore, an overview of some important aspects will help in better understanding Latin-America.

Religion & Family

Catholicism is the main religion in Latin America. The religion was brought by the Spanish conquerors and combined with native and African beliefs, giving origin to a diversity of religious festivals. Religion is an important part of life, and individuals often pray and light candles to specific religious figures in order to obtain specific favors.

Latino families are usually large, and it’s very common for family groups to include uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. Latino families spend time together very often and help raise and educate the younger members.

Latin American Food

Latin American food is varied, tasty, and colorful, with delicious ingredients as diverse as the culture itself. Each country has many famous dishes. Some relevant examples are:

• Mexican food is probably the best-known worldwide, with delicious classics like tacos and burritos. Authentic Mexican food is really spicy, and various hot peppers are a popular ingredient.
• In Central America, pupusas are very popular. They are thick tortillas filled with cheese, pork belly, or beans, usually eaten for breakfast.
• The bandeja paisa is a typical Colombian dish that contains pork belly, ground meat, eggs, avocado, rice, sausage, and beans.
• Venezuela is famous for arepas, a round, flat corn patty, usually grilled or fried, and served with a variety of fillings.
• Ceviche is a famous Peruvian food made from raw fish, cured in a mix of lemon, onions, and spices.
• Argentina and Chile are known for their empanadas, hot flour-based patties which are baked and filled with meat, cheese, or beans.
• Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil eat plenty of grilled meat and are famous for their sausages and many meat products. Brazilian churrascarias, which are restaurants that sell grilled meat dishes, are becoming famous worldwide.

Music, Movies, & Literature

Latin America is known for its Caribbean rhythms like salsa, bachata, and merengue, which combine hip movements with quick steps and spins. Famous artists of these rhythms are Ruben Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Celia Cruz, just to name a few. Brazil is famous for the samba, the cheerful dance characteristic of Carnival. Tango is another Latin dance which originated in Argentina.

The Latino film industry has had its highs and lows but has always been an important part of the local culture, and internationally-acclaimed productions are often regarded as a matter of national pride. Some famous Hollywood stars have Latin roots, like Sofia Vergara and Edgar Ramirez.

Literature in Latin America is very rich, and great books have been written since colonial times. Among the big Latino writers are Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Mario Vargas Llosa, Pablo Neruda, and Octavio Paz; all Nobel Prize winners.

Traditions & Festivals

Many of the different traditions and festivals in Latin America have religious origins. Throughout the year, many religious holidays are observed and processions are common. Some well-known festivals are the Holy Week, celebrated in the entire region; the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the largest street festival in the world; the Day of the Dead in Mexico, a colorful festival to honor deceased family members; the Dancer Devils of Corpus Christi in Venezuela, to celebrate the presence of Christ; and the Day of the Little Candles in Colombia, when the Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary is honored, and candles burn with the wishes of the faithful. There are many other traditions, and each town has its own festival to honor their local saint or virgin.

Lesson Summary

Latin America is a region full of diversity, culture, and traditions and is known for the hospitality of its people and their joy for life. Latin American culture is the result of a combination of European, indigenous, and African influences. Spanish is the main language in most of the region.

Large family groups are common, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

Catholicism is the main religion, and many holidays and traditions are influenced by religion. Some important festivals and traditions include the Carnival, Day of the Dead, and many celebrations devoted to different saints and virgins.

Latino gastronomy is full of tasty dishes, like the Venezuelan arepas, the Colombian bandeja paisa, the Central American pupusas, or the Peruvian ceviche, just to name a few.

Caribbean rhythms are popular, as well as local dances specific to each area.