Countries in Latin America
What Is Latin America Anyway?
Latin America covers all of South America and wraps its welcoming arms around Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands where folks are chattin’ in a Romance language. Picture this: the old times saw the Spanish and Portuguese strutting in during the late 15th century, staying through the 18th century, leaving behind a legacy of conquest and colonization. Fast forward to the early 19th century, and you’ve got countries breaking free and declaring independence from their old European shackles. It’s a history class brought to life (Britannica).
Latin American Countries Ranked by Population
So, how many places count under Latin America and the Caribbean flag according to the United Nations? Try wrapping your head around 33 countries! Here’s your list of these lively lands, arranged by the number of people currently calling them home (Worldometers):
| Country | Population | Subregion |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 213,993,437 | South America |
| Mexico | 130,262,216 | Central America |
| Colombia | 51,265,844 | South America |
| Argentina | 45,605,826 | South America |
| Peru | 33,359,418 | South America |
| Venezuela | 28,704,947 | South America |
| Chile | 19,212,361 | South America |
| Guatemala | 18,092,043 | Central America |
| Ecuador | 17,888,475 | South America |
| Bolivia | 11,832,940 | South America |
| Haiti | 11,541,685 | Caribbean |
| Cuba | 11,308,764 | Caribbean |
| Dominican Republic | 10,953,703 | Caribbean |
| Honduras | 10,062,991 | Central America |
| Paraguay | 7,252,672 | South America |
| El Salvador | 6,518,499 | Central America |
| Nicaragua | 6,850,540 | Central America |
| Costa Rica | 5,213,362 | Central America |
| Panama | 4,210,489 | Central America |
| Uruguay | 3,485,151 | South America |
| Jamaica | 2,961,167 | Caribbean |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 1,409,117 | Caribbean |
| Guyana | 786,552 | South America |
| Suriname | 591,800 | South America |
| Belize | 422,612 | Central America |
| Barbados | 287,711 | Caribbean |
| Saint Lucia | 183,627 | Caribbean |
| Grenada | 113,021 | Caribbean |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 110,947 | Caribbean |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 98,610 | Caribbean |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 53,192 | Caribbean |
| Dominica | 72,341 | Caribbean |
Curious about other world regions? Take a peek at our posts on the list of African countries, list of European countries, and list of South American countries. We’ve got the globe covered!
Composition of Latin America
Latin America packs a punch with its medley of countries sharing heaps of linguistic and cultural flair from those heady days of Spanish and Portuguese visits (read: conquests). Let’s zero in on the Spanish-speaking crowd here, exploring their borders and what makes them tick.
Spanish-Speaking Countries
Spanish holds sway in most of Latin America. The folks here say gracias to their historical ties with Spain, who came calling ages ago.
| Country | Population (2024 Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 131,609,000 (Worldometer) |
| Colombia | 52,103,000 (Worldometer) |
| Argentina | 46,245,000 (Worldometer) |
| Peru | 35,958,000 (Worldometer) |
| Venezuela | 29,789,000 (Worldometer) |
| Chile | 19,525,000 (Worldometer) |
| Guatemala | 19,212,000 (Worldometer) |
| Ecuador | 19,083,000 (Worldometer) |
| Bolivia | 13,256,000 (Worldometer) |
| Cuba | 11,268,000 (Worldometer) |
| Dominican Republic | 11,173,000 (Worldometer) |
| Honduras | 10,507,000 (Worldometer) |
| Paraguay | 7,633,000 (Worldometer) |
| El Salvador | 7,283,000 (Worldometer) |
| Nicaragua | 6,473,000 (Worldometer) |
| Costa Rica | 5,605,000 (Worldometer) |
| Uruguay | 3,634,000 (Worldometer) |
| Panama | 4,632,000 (Worldometer) |
You can’t swing a cat in Latin America without hitting a Spanish-speaking person. This language gives the region its vibrant character and unity (Institute of Spanish Studies).
Borders and Territories
With lands that roll over mountains, jungles, and sunny coasts, Latin American countries have some pretty interesting geographical neighbors drawn by the lines of conquest and nature itself. Here’s how it looks:
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North America:
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Mexico: Snuggles up to the United States up north, and reaches cozy hands towards Guatemala and Belize southeast-wards.
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Central America: This tight strip connects the two Americas, with the Caribbean Sea chilling to the east and the Pacific rocking out to the west.
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Countries: Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
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South America: A bit of a mixed bag here, with both shoreline lovers and folks who are fine without seeing a beach.
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Landlocked Countries: Bolivia and Paraguay might not have beaches, but they’ve got rivers that wave friendly towards the ocean (World Atlas).
These makeshift lines tell tales of culture and trade, making Latin America a lively mix of human and nature stories.
Want to get lost in more deets? Check out our detailed looks at South American lands or get a language taste with our Spanish-speaking exploration here and over here.
South American Landlocked Countries
Alright, folks, let’s talk South America – home to twelve countries and a couple of territories. Outta this dozen, just two don’t have a beach day: Bolivia and Paraguay. We’re diving into what’s special about these unique spots.
Bolivia: Largest Landlocked Country
Meet Bolivia: the big fish in our pond of landlocked places down south. It’s got a whopping 1,098,581 sq. km (424,163 sq. mi) under its belt. Yeah, it’s ranked 28th in the ‘World’s Largest Countries’ list. Diverse ain’t even the word! Picture the Andes Mountains brushing up beside the Atacama Desert and the sprawling Amazon rainforest – it’s all here.
| Country | Area (sq. km) | Area (sq. mi) | Global Rank (by area) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | 1,098,581 | 424,163 | 28th |
Now, there’s over 11 million folks calling Bolivia home. It’s a colorful mix of people, with Spanish blending with a symphony of indigenous languages, giving you a real cultural cocktail.
Wanna dig deeper? Don’t miss out on our list of south american countries.
Paraguay: Second Landlocked Country
Next up, Paraguay – the smaller sibling, but no less exciting. It spreads over 406,752 sq. km (157,048 sq. mi). At 60th in the global size race, it’s punchy and packed with personality.
| Country | Area (sq. km) | Area (sq. mi) | Global Rank (by area) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay | 406,752 | 157,048 | 60th |
Around 7 million people bring their vibrant culture to life, a dance of Guarani and Spanish ringing through the air. This blend keeps the heritage rich and ever-present.
These two gems in the South American crown are special. No coastlines, but heaps of history and culture to soak up. Looking for more Latin American adventures? Check out our list of african countries and more. Whether you’re mapping travels or just curious, there’s a world waiting for you.
Spanish Language Influence
Official Language in Latin America
Spanish runs the show in many countries across Latin America, acting as the go-to language for everything official— from running the government to teaching kids their ABCs, and chatting with your neighbor. Here’s a peek at where Spanish holds the throne:
| Country | Official Language |
|---|---|
| Argentina | Spanish |
| Bolivia | Spanish |
| Chile | Spanish |
| Colombia | Spanish |
| Costa Rica | Spanish |
| Cuba | Spanish |
| Dominican Republic | Spanish |
| Ecuador | Spanish |
| El Salvador | Spanish |
| Guatemala | Spanish |
| Honduras | Spanish |
| Mexico | Spanish |
| Nicaragua | Spanish |
| Panama | Spanish |
| Paraguay | Spanish |
| Peru | Spanish |
| Uruguay | Spanish |
| Venezuela | Spanish |
These countries together make Spanish a powerhouse in the Americas, where it’s the lingua franca for many.
Spanish-Speaking Populations Worldwide
Spanish isn’t just sticking to Latin America. It’s chatting up a storm worldwide. Snag a look at some of the heavy hitters in the Spanish-speaking crowd, courtesy of the brainiacs over at the Institute of Spanish Studies:
| Country | Spanish-Speaking Population |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 125 million |
| United States | 43 million (first language) |
| Colombia | 50 million |
| Spain | 46 million |
| Argentina | 44 million |
| Peru | 32 million |
| Venezuela | 32 million |
| Chile | 19 million |
| Ecuador | 17 million |
| Guatemala | 17 million |
| Cuba | 11 million |
Spanish also pops up in places where it’s not the main squeeze but still loved, like in Equatorial Guinea where it cozies up next to French. And over in the Philippines, even though it bowed out as an official tongue in 1987, around 400,000 folks are still fluent in the language (Wikipedia).
If you’re itching for more Spanish-speaking tidbits and trivia, have a gander at our well-stocked list of Spanish-speaking countries.
Spanish is flexing hard globally— whether it’s the boss of all languages in one country or playing wingman somewhere else. Influential in culture, ruling palaces, and classrooms alike, Spanish is still the slick, sly communicator it’s always been.
Spanish Language Diversity
The Spanish language, a tapestry of sounds and culture around the globe, comes with some neat quirks and twists depending on where you’re chilling. Unpacking these flavors gives us a clue about its power and punch far and wide.
Creole Languages
Spanish is the base for some fascinating creole languages, each slyly mixing in local flavor. Check these out:
- Chavacano: Giving the Philippines its own spin, Chavacano blends Spanish with local zest, making it a unique voice in the archipelago.
- Papiamento: An island treat with a serious blend of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and African, Papiamento is the go-to in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
- Chamorro: Technically not a creole, Chamorro on the islands of Guam and Northern Mariana has its bag full of Spanish terms thanks to history’s long arm.
- Judeo-Spanish (Ladino): Medieval Spanish makes a comeback with Ladino, a blast from the past spoken by some Sephardi Jews, mainly in Israel.
Curious about where these Spanish hues can be heard? Hit up our list of spanish speaking countries.
Variations Across Territories
Spanish dances to different tunes depending on the region, even within the same borders. Past tales, native dialects, and the land’s lay all play a role in this. Here’s a look at some standout dialects:
| Region | Key Variations |
|---|---|
| Spain | Get a taste of Castilian, Andalusian, or the Catalan-stirred Spanish. |
| Latin America | Say hello to Rioplatense from Argentina and Uruguay, the Andean vibes of Peru and Bolivia, and the rhythmic beats of Caribbean Spanish in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. |
| Equatorial Guinea | Spanish vibes here are a groovy mix with local tongues and Portuguese flair. |
Feel like exploring more linguistic style? Check out our list of african countries and list of european countries.
Diving into these twists and turns uncovers the depth and beauty of Spanish, a key thread in the cultural tapestry of many corners of the world. For a deeper dive into how Spanish rocks globally, check out our article on list of countries by spanish speaking capitals.
Spanish in Africa
Spanish isn’t just for Latin America and Spain—it’s alive and kicking in Africa too. Here, it’s not just a language but also a cultural bridge in places you might not expect.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is a bit of a standout on the African map. It’s unique because Spanish is one of its three official languages, with nearly 68% of the folks there speaking it (Institute of Spanish Studies). Equatorial Guinea is the only spot on the continent where Spanish gets to don the official language badge, thanks to old-time connections with Spain.
French and Portuguese also hold official status, adding layers to the linguistics tapestry. Yet, it’s Spanish that takes center stage both in government corridors and around daily chit-chats.
| Language | Percentage of Population Speaking It (%) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 68 |
| French | 10 |
| Portuguese | 3 |
Spanish Influence in African Territories
But wait, there’s more! The Spanish language isn’t confined to Equatorial Guinea. It peeks through in parts of northern Africa where Spain still keeps a foot in. Think of Spanish speaking hubs in Morocco, Angola, and even South Sudan (Institute of Spanish Studies).
Moroccan cities like Ceuta and Melilla, technically Spanish, are buzzing with Spanish speakers. In the broader northern Africa landscape, Spanish gets used thanks to schooling or trade links.
| Territory | Presence of Spanish |
|---|---|
| Ceuta and Melilla (Morocco) | Yes |
| Angola | Yes |
| South Sudan | Yes |
Spanish paints over more than its familiar borders, showing how historical and cultural threads can spread wide and far. To dig deeper into this cross-continental influence, check out a thorough list of African countries and places where Spanish leaves its mark.
The spread of Spanish in such unexpected places is a testament to its global cultural footprint. For those curious, there’s more to uncover in a list of Spanish-speaking countries as well as a list of European countries to see how Spanish really gets around.