27 Facts About Latin America That You Probably Didn't Know

Latin America is a huge region that consists of 20 countries.

Mexico, Central America, a few parts of the Caribbean, and the entirety of South America form Latin America. And, as the name suggests it is largely influenced by Latin culture and languages that are derived from Latin.

Peru, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, Paraguay, and other countries comprise Latin America. The approximate area covered by Latin America is 7,412,000 sq mi (19,197,000 km sq) with an average population of more than 652 million.

The dominant languages of this region include Spanish, French, and Portuguese, and this displays the influence of Latin in the culture. However, there are African influences too. The largest city is Sau Paulo and Christianity is a dominant religion there.

History

Latin America comprises the nations that have been influenced by Latin, as many of the languages spoken there are derived from Latin. Thus, the history of Latin America is also extensive. Latin America came into focus in the 16th century after it was explored by the Europeans. More historical facts are outlined below.

Before the European invasion, Latin America was the home of several indigenous people and civilizations such as the Incas, the Olmecs, the Muiscas, and the Mayans.

The term ‘Latin America’ was coined by Napolean III in France.

The majority of native Latin Americans perished due to disease after the colonization.

By 1825 most of Latin America attained freedom except for Spanish colonies like Puerto Rico and Cuba.

The War of the Pacific that occurred between 1879-1884 is an important event in Latin American history, as two significant nations, Chile and Bolivia, were at war because of a disagreement over borders.

Geography And Tourism

20 nations are present within Latin America, as well as 14 dependent territories. The topography of Latin America is enormous and covers almost 13% of the surface of the Earth. Latin America has many nations, and most are considered popular tourist destinations, particularly Mexico. So, here are some geography and tourism facts about Latin America.

Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America that is situated in Argentina, and it has a height of more than 7612.64 yd (6,961 m).

There are more than 90 isolated Latin American tribes that live primarily in Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Brazil in the Amazon Rainforest.

Colombia is perhaps the only country in South America that shares its coastline with both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

The first nation to have a ski resort with cable-tow is Bolivia.

In 2019, Mexico was thought to be the most visited Latin American country.

Politics And Government

The political scenario of Latin America has changed over the years. Both General Elections and Presidential Elections have been conducted in many countries of Latin America since 1980.

These elections were primarily based on the multiparty system. However, the decade of the '80s saw a wave of democratization. More facts about the politics and government of Latin America are provided below.

To solidify democracy, the American States Summit Conference was conducted in Costa Rica in 1989.

Almost all Caribbeans and Latin Americans support the democratic government.

In 1889, a Presidential Election was held in Brazil and center-right leaning politician Fernando Collor was victorious.

Out of the 20 countries of Latin America, 17 were under the rule of dictators by the end of 1970.

Economy And Cuisine

Latin America is enriched with natural resources and raw materials, therefore, the main components of its economy are mining and agriculture. Tourism is also an integral part, as the vivid landscape and incredible cuisine captivates tourists from all over the world. Below are some incredible facts about the economy and cuisine of Latin America.

The largest exporter of coffee, orange juice, and sugar in the world is Brazil.

The franchise of McDonald’s failed to operate in Bolivia due to the poor economic condition of the country, as the price was out of the reach of most citizens.

After the United States, Asia is the second-largest selling and buying collaborator of Latin America.

The aggregated GDP amounted to nearly 4.3 trillion USD in 2020.

Some popular Latin American dishes include tamales, tacos, pupusas, arepas, guacamole and more.

Did you know?

There are so many interesting Latin American facts that you may have read, but did you know these facts?

It has been documented that almost 80% of Latin American people live in cities, which makes it one of the world’s most extensively urbanized regions.

The National University of Mexico is North America’s oldest university.

The world’s tallest waterfall, situated in the Venezuela Canaima National Park, is known as the Angel Falls.

Costa Rica refers to the phrase ‘rich coast’ and has been ranked as the happiest country on the Earth.

6% of the people of Latin America speak Haitian Creole, Guarani, and Quechua.

The Atacama Desert which is situated in the north of Chile is believed to be the world’s driest place after Antarctica.

The Amazon Rainforest is responsible for producing 20% of the oxygen in the world.

FAQs

What is Latin America known for?

Latin America is known for its landscape, culture, food, and traditions.

How did Latin America get its name?

As most of the people spoke in Latin-inspired languages in this region, it came to be known as Latin America.

Where is Latin America?

The whole of South America and a few nations of North America form Latin America.

How many countries are in Latin America?

There are 20 countries.

What type of ideology has gained popularity throughout Latin America?

Socialism gained popularity throughout Latin America.

When was slavery abolished in Latin America?

By 1850, slavery was completely abolished in Latin America.

What languages are spoken in Latin America?

Spanish is spoken by 60% of the population. However, besides Spanish, Portuguese and French are also widely used.

What is the greatest threat to biodiversity in Latin America?

Climate change can be considered as the greatest threat to biodiversity in Latin America.

What country in Latin America has the region's largest population?

Brazil has 35% of the total Latin American population.