Final answer:
To uncover Latino roots, we look towards the Iberian Peninsula in Europe, where Spanish and Portuguese cultural influences began the European colonization that shaped Latin America. The term encompasses Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands, reflecting the significant impact of the Iberian conquest and establishment of societies with blended indigenous and European cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
To uncover Latino roots, we return to the principal continent of Europe, more specifically to the Iberian Peninsula. This region is crucial for understanding the origins of Latino culture as it played a vital role in the colonization and cultural formation of what we now refer to as Latin America.
The Iberian Peninsula, home to Spain and Portugal, is where conquistadors and missionaries began their journeys towards the Americas, which were influenced by European models of social customs, religious practices, laws, and cultural beliefs that shaped the New World after the 16th century.
This historical context challenges the common narratives taught in the United States, which often reflect an Anglo-centric viewpoint. It's essential to acknowledge the diverse European influences on the Americas, especially from the Iberian Peninsula, and to recognize that the European Invasion was more of a conquest than a discovery. Many countries in Latin America were formed post-colonization, and they reflect the mingling of indigenous cultures with those of the Spanish and Portuguese settlers.
Latin America is a term that includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands, despite the misconception that Latin is the spoken language. Explorers from the Iberian Peninsula who followed in the wake of Christopher Columbus's voyages had a significant impact on the formation of the societies within these regions, and their legacy is evident today in the Latino culture spread across these continents.