1. Latin American Culture
Francisci WG.4

2. Indian Civilizations of Latin America
Aztecs:
Ethnic group of central Mexico (present day Mexico City)
14th to 16th centuries
Had pyramids
Known for chocolate, popcorn, chewing gum, advanced medicine and education – regardless of rank or gender
Died off due to battles and diseases brought by the Europeans

3. Indian Civilizations of Latin America
Incas:
Lived along the Andes
Mountains of South
America from 1438
to 1572.
Machu Picchu: Ancient Incan city in Peru located on top of a mountain.
Conquered by the Spanish in 1572.
Known for architecture, roads, bridges and terrace farming

4. Mayans: From the Yucatan Peninsula of Central America (AD 250-900)
Famous site is the Tikal: Ancient Mayan ruins in Guatemala
Known for their calendar, advanced writing system and production of cotton

5. European Arrival
The Spanish and Portuguese came to Latin America to search for gold, silver, iron ore and gems.
Most of Latin America speaks Spanish except for Brazil, which speaks Portuguese
Brought with them diseases that the Indians were not immune too
Europeans left behind their language, customs, music and religion.

6. European Influence
Dominant religion in Latin America in Roman Catholicism which was brought by the Spanish and Portuguese (worship in cathedrals)
Europeans brought Africans to Latin America and enslaved them.
Many African traditions are still evident in Latin America (steel drum bands, reggae)

7. European Influence
Many people of European Ancestry intermingled with either native peoples (Indians) or with African slaves.
Mestizos: A person of Indian and European ancestry.
Mulatto: A person of mixed African & European Ancestry

8. Food and Entertainment
Diet consists of beans, rice, tortillas, quinoa and corn
Most countries enjoy spicy food
Most popular sports: Soccer, cricket and bull fighting.
Mariachis: Small group of musicians in native costume that stroll an area playing Mexican folk music
Samba: Brazilian dance of African origin
Calypso & Bossa Nova: Styles of Brazilian music

9. Megacities of Latin America
Megacity: a very large city, typically one with a population of over ten million people.
Mexico City, Mexico
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Poor people tend to live in shantytowns on the outskirts of cities

10. Current Trends
There is a rapid population growth rate in Latin America (especially along the coasts).
Population pyramid is shaped like a triangle or pyramid
This indicates a large percentage of the population is 15 years or younger

11. Current Trends Low literacy rate in many parts of Latin America
Governments are focusing on education
Still problems with getting and keeping children in school (especially in urban areas)
A trend for many Latin Americans to move to other regions of the world
Out Migration: To leave one region in order to settle in another.
Current Trends