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Latino is a term that refers to people who come from or have ancestors from Latin America, which includes those who speak Portuguese, French, and other indigenous languages in addition to Spanish.

The term Latina is often used in lieu of Latino to refer to Latin American women.

In recent years, Latinx has been promoted as a gender-neutral, pan-ethnic label for people of Latin American descent who do not identify as male or female, or as an alternative to gender-specific terms such as Latino or Latina. However, the term is used by only about three percent of those to whom it might be applied.

The terms Mexican-American, Latin American, Hispanic, Chicano, Latino, and Latinx are often used interchangeably or applied alternatively to the same group of people, but they have different meanings and connotations.

Mexican American refers strictly to people of Mexican descent who were born or live in the United States, and are the largest Hispanic group in the United States. Latin American refers to those who come from or have ancestors from any of the countries in Latin America. Hispanic refers to people who come from or have ancestors from Spanish-speaking countries, which would include not only Latin America but also Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. Chicano is a term that originated in the 1960s to describe Mexican-Americans who were born or raised in the United States. Latino is used in reference to people who come from or have ancestors from Latin America. As such, it is a broader term than Hispanic, as it includes people who speak Portuguese, French, and indigenous languages in addition to Spanish. Latinx is a gender-neutral or nonbinary alternative to Latino or Latina. While heavily promoted in recent years, only about twenty-three percent of U.S. adults who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino have heard of the term, and only three percent use it to describe themselves.

While Hispanic is used slightly more often than Latino, the latter is the more grammatically correct of the umbrella terms used to describe this group of people.

Of course, it should be understood that these terms are not mutually exclusive, and people may identify with one or more of them, depending on their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds. In addition, the use of these terms may vary according to regional, generational, or political differences, among other things.

Many will prefer to be identified by their specific country of origin, while others might favor being referred to simply as Americans.

The masculine term Latino, along with the feminine form Latina, is a noun and adjective, often used in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, most commonly to refer to inhabitants of the United States and Canada who have cultural ties to Latin America.

Various governmental agencies, particularly the U.S. Census Bureau, employ specific definitions of Latino that may or may not agree with community usage. These agencies also use the term Hispanic, which includes Spaniards, whereas Latino does not. Brazilians, on the other hand, are considered Latino because Brazil is in Latin America, but they are not considered Hispanic because the country's primary language is Portuguese.

Latin American culture is the informal expression of the people of Latin America, which includes unique expressions of literature, art, music, and dance, as well as religion and other customary practices. Generally, these are of Western origin, although they include degrees of Native American, African, and Asian influences.

Latin American culture is a diverse mix of customs, traditions, and beliefs that have been developed over time. While not all Latinos speak Spanish, it is a common language in much of Latin America.

Latin American cuisine varies by region, although popular dishes include maize-based dishes (arepas, empanadas, pupusas, tacos, tamales, and tortillas, as well as various salsas and other condiments, like guacamole, pico de gallo, mole, chimichurri, and chili. Rice, corn, pasta, bread, plantain, potatoes, yucca, and beans are staples in Latino cuisine. Latin American desserts commonly include dulce de leche, alfajor, rice pudding, tres leches cake, and flan.

While family is important in many cultures, in Latin American culture, it is common for extended families to live together, and for children to remain with their parents until they are married.

In general, Latin American culture is more community-oriented than other American cultures. In Latino communities, people tend to be more connected to their neighbors.

Latin American music and dance are among the most recognizable features in Latino culture. Salsa, tango, and reggaeton are examples of music and dance originating in Latin America.

 

 

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