Are México and the spanish-speaking Caribbean Islands considered part of Latin America?

Question

I thought they were but when categorized, they're always seperate! What is up with that?

And on another note, someone said Haiti was part of Latin America. Is that true? They speak french, but are right next to the DR?

Enlightenment on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

I would think "yes" to the first question. Latino would include Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Haiti was a French colony and the people speak French.

Jamaica was an English colony and its people are English-speaking.  I do not think either would be considered a part of Latin America.

The confusion about Mexico may be that it is the closest to the U.S. and is the largest country in Central America. Our shared border probably sets it apart.

There are geographical divisions: North, South and Central America. And political divisions.  I think Latin America is a linguistic division.  It is confusing isn't it.

Answer 2

The term Latino refers to Americans (South, Central, & North) who speak a Latin-based Romance language (ex. Spanish, French, Italian).  So, like others said before, although Hispanics are often thought of as the only Latinos, a French-Canadian could also fall under this category.

Answer 3

Yes.

Answer 4

Yes Mexico and the spanish speaking countries are part of Latin America.  Some definitions of Latin America include all countries speaking a Romance Language so this definition would include Haiti.  The historical definition said that all parts of the Americas that were once part of the Spanish, Portuguese, and French Empires are part of Latin America.  In this definition, the US Southwest, Florida, and French Louisiana would be included.

Answer 5

It's quite simple, but sometimes confusing: geographically, Mexico and Central America are not part of South America (that's why they're always categorised separated), but culturally (language, religion), they belong to Latin America (also Haiti, because French is derived from Latin, as well as Spanish and Portuguese)

Bye!

Answer 6

Well, I think the mistake is in trying to categorize everything... Mexico and all the south american countries are in the American continent.  US Americans say they are americans when we Mexicans are Americans as well.  If you say Mexicans speak Spanish you are wrong, we speak Castellano.  Spanish is from Spain.  See, there is no way to cathegorize or to classify everything.  Instead of trying to talk about a bunch of people, talk about them individually, saying not latinos... buy maybe brazilians, mexicans, guatemalans etc