Chapter 13Cultures of Latin America

Section 1

Seven nations form the crooked, narrow isthmus of

Central America. Along with Mexico

they make up Middle America.

People of Central America are of diverse ancestry.

Middle America has much diversity among its people. Many are

Mestizo, which means they are a mix of

Spanish and Indigenous People,

(who are descendants of the people who first lived there). In Latin America, indigenous

people are also called Native Americans.

Although Spanish is the language of business and

government, some countries like Guatemala speak more than 20

languages.

Due to growth in population,

which led to job shortage in rural

areas,

thousands of young people In Middle America

have been moving from the country-side to the city.

Lack of work and low wages force many

people to work

In factories and

businesses in the city.

Many people have left Mexico and Central America and emigrated to the U.S. to find

better jobs.

Many people of Middle America are poor farmers known as

campesinos, (kahm peh see nohz).

Many people from Middle America emigrate to the United States hoping to find better living

conditions and better work.

A factory found on the

U.S./Mexican border which

assembles parts for export is

called maquiladora.

America is made of many immigrants. Immigrants are people who move from their home country to live in a foreign country. For many Middle Americans, the U.S. Is their new home.

The religion most practiced in Middle

America is Catholicism.