Articles Viva Latino

To talk about Latin America is to take a chance in comprehending the array of nomenclature, concepts, ideologies, designations, political connotations, and abstract meanings and to inevitably become confused.

In general terms, Latin America comprises of the American countries who had their languages derived from Latin (Spanish, Portuguese and French) and who were colonized by presently known Spain, Portugal and France, with the latter in smaller proportion.

The countries form a major part of South, Central and North America, an example would be Mexico. Some countries, such as Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic; although they are located in the Caribbean basin are considered part of Latin America and they are equally perceived by the rest as "Latino Brothers".

Even with the same ethnic, historic and cultural background, the perception of what it is to be a Latin-American is so diverse as widely varied are the ties that unify us or, as is many cases, sets us apart. There are many that believe that there are more differences between "Latinos" than similarities. True or not, it is no secret that there are few countries that, even as neighbors, they do not know about each other. When used on a popular sense , and exempt of any other more complex connotations, the terms " Latin" and/or "Hispanic" barely expose a feeling that has more to do with a designation of geographical and language origin than that of political preferences or beliefs.

According to the late renowned Brazilian writer, Jorge Amado, the region should be known as "Afrolatinamerica", as we have an African component that is often ignored. But It's true that Brazil is considered the " different kid" in the neighborhood. Bolivar, is a hero in many of the Latin-American countries but Brazilians once again do not identify themselves with his ideals which reinforce the utopic Latin American identity.

Independent of the dialectic linguistic variations, economics, politics and social inequalities between the different countries in the region, being a Latin American is a feeling, it is about sharing. It is about the unlimited sensuality, warmth and spontaneity. It is to be a son of the Sun, the breeze and the Sea. It is to insist on dreaming to carry on.

In the following pages, know our Latin America. VIVA LATINO !