Latin America refers to the areas of America in which the Spanish or Portuguese languages prevail. These areas include Mexico, most of Central and South America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Latin America can be subdivided into different regions, such as North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. (Wikipedia, Retrieved 2010).
Latin America consists of many different ethnic backgrounds and races. It is one of the most diverse regions in the world. Some of the predominant races/backgrounds include European-Amerindians (Mestizo), Amerindians, European, Mulatto, Black, Asian and Zambo (mixed Black and Amerindian).
Latin America continues to be challenged by inequality and poverty. Poverty is defined as, “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.” (Merriam-Webster, Retrieved 2010). According to the World Bank, nearly 25% of the population of Latin America lives on less than $2.00 a day. At least 182 million people are living in poverty in Latin America and at least 68 million people are living in extreme poverty. Poverty is defined as living on less than $2.15 per person per day and extreme poverty as living on less than $1.08 per person per day.
“The poverty rate in Latin America was halved from 60% in 1950 to less than 30% in 2000. However, during the same time period income inequality remained more or less the same, making both poverty reduction and economic growth more difficult; as in other countries with a wide income gap—even developed ones—the challenge is to increase the
References: Latin America. (2010, June 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 7, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Latin_America&oldid=366711869 Poverty. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved June 7, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty Poverty in the Developing World – Latin America and the Caribbean, (2010). Retrieved June 7, 2010, from http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/2676/Poverty-in-Developing-World-LATIN-AMERICA-CARIBBEAN.html