The term Latin America emerged in the 19th century, coinciding with the wave of independence movements that swept through the former Spanish and Portuguese colonies. Before this period, these lands were broadly known as “The Indies” or the “New World.” But how did this vast region come to be called “America” in the first place, and why the prefix “Latin”? The answers lie in a fascinating journey through exploration, cartography, and evolving geopolitical identities.
The story begins with Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine navigator and explorer whose voyages to the northern coasts of South America between 1499 and 1502 played a crucial role in shaping the continent’s name.
Alt: Portrait of Amerigo Vespucci, Italian explorer and navigator who contributed to the naming of America.
Vespucci undertook his first expedition in 1499. While the exact number of his voyages to South America remains debated, his widely circulated letters and narratives consistently referred to this region as the “New World” (Mundus Novus in Latin). These writings gained significant traction across Europe, sparking the imagination of geographers and cosmographers and prompting them to depict this newly recognized landmass on their maps.
Among these cartographers was Martin Waldseemüller, a German mapmaker. In 1507, Waldseemüller published a groundbreaking planisphere, a world map, which prominently featured the new continent and designated it “America,” in honor of Amerigo Vespucci. Thus, the Italian explorer’s first name was immortalized, forever associating him with the vast lands of the Western Hemisphere.
Once named, this immense hemisphere began to be geographically categorized, largely influenced by the colonial powers that held sway. “Anglo-Saxon America” became the term to describe North America, primarily reflecting British influence, while “Spanish America” encompassed the territories under Spanish rule. The term “South America” further refined this division, specifically including Brazil, which, notably, was a Portuguese colony.
However, the transition to “Latin America” involved a more nuanced shift, rooted in 19th-century identity politics and cultural affiliations. The concept of Latinidad, or “Latiness,” arose in the 1800s as a counterpoint to the growing influence of Anglo-Saxon culture in the Americas. France, a major European power at the time, championed this idea, lending support to the liberal and republican ideals emerging in Latin American independence movements. This French backing was instrumental in popularizing the distinction between two Americas: Anglo-Saxon and Latin.
The “Latin” descriptor was chosen to highlight the region’s cultural and linguistic heritage, emphasizing the prevalence of languages derived from Latin, namely Spanish, Portuguese, and French.
While pinpointing the very first use of “Latin America” is debated, some historians credit the Chilean writer Francisco Bilbao, who reportedly used the term in a Paris conference in 1856. Simultaneously, in the same year, Colombian poet José María Torres Caicedo employed it in his poem “The Two Americas.” Torres Caicedo’s work passionately defended the independence and unity of Latin American nations against potential intervention from the United States.
Nevertheless, the term “Latin America” gained widespread currency in 1861, largely due to the political motivations of French Emperor Napoleon III. Seeking to expand French influence in the Americas, Napoleon III promoted the notion of a shared cultural affinity among peoples of Latin origin. This idea, however, was met with resistance in Latin America, as countries largely rejected French intervention and rallied behind Mexican resistance against French forces led by Benito Juárez.
Turning to the “Caribbean,” its name traces back to the indigenous word intimate, meaning “brave man.” The Caribs were a group of indigenous peoples who originally inhabited the Caribbean islands and parts of the northern coast of South America. They were renowned for their fierce resistance to Spanish colonization and their strong warrior and seafaring traditions.
Alt: Scenic view of the Caribbean coastline with turquoise waters and lush vegetation, representing the geographical region.
The combined term Latin America and the Caribbean solidified in the 20th century, particularly within the context of burgeoning regional cooperation and integration efforts. Organizations such as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), established in 1948, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in 1973, formally cemented this regional designation.
Understanding the etymology and historical context of “Latin America and the Caribbean” is crucial for grasping the region’s complex identity. The name itself reflects a tapestry of historical, social, and cultural influences, interwoven with power dynamics and aspirations for self-determination. Exploring the rich history of this region allows for a deeper appreciation of its journey and paves the way for building a more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant future for all who call this territory home – a territory that some indigenous communities might call Abya Yala, a name that carries its own powerful history, but that is a story for another time.
