THE 19 LATIN AMERICAN STATES
Although the term “Latin America” is a little fuzzy, the following nineteen countries are generally considered to be the true Latin American states.
Click the map for a larger view.
Belize, I would call an “honorary” Latin American state. Spanish is spoken more widely than English in Belize (source: Ethnologue, 2006) and, as a geographical argument for inclusion, it forms part of Central America. Historically, it was part of the Mayan empire and was officially a Spanish colony until 1862. I’d even go so far as to call Belize Latin America’s 20th state.
Guyana, French Guiana, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, the Caribbean island states (excepting Cuba and the Dominican Republic), and the Falkland/Malvinas Islands, while all belonging to The Americas, are not usually included as part of Latin America.
Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898 and Puerto Ricans have been US citizens since 1917. They’ve been a US Commonwealth since 1952 and in 2012 the citizens voted in favour of becoming the 51st state. Historically, Puerto Rico was once part of Latin America, but historically so were Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada.
© El Pedalero, 2012.
Not only is Haiti a Latin American Nation but it was the first to gain it independence.
Thanks for your input, Élisée. Allow me to give you some more insight…
As I stated at the top, the term “Latin America” is a little fuzzy.
However, if we include Haiti as Latin America, we must also include French Guiana, the French Antilles, and Quebec (and by extension, Canada). So the term becomes even more fuzzy and even less helpful.
Another term often used in place of – and synonymous with – Latin America is “Ibero-America.” This means former territories of the Iberian Peninsula (which includes Spain and Portugal and excludes France) and where Spanish and Portuguese is predominantly spoken.
Again, Haiti is not usually included as part of Latin America. This is not my idea, but rather the common perception.
As for when Haiti achieved independence, well, that’s irrelevant to the discussion. But you’re right, Haiti became independent before the Latin American states (almost a century before Cuba, indeed).
But hey, if you’re a Haitian and you feel “Latin American” and define yourself that way, you’ll get no argument from me, I promise!
Thanks for stopping by the site!
Abrazos!