LATIN AMERICAN MUSIC

Location of Hispanic / Latin Americans

Hispanic / Latino Population

As of July 1, 2007, Hispanics accounted for 15.1% of the national population, or around 45.4 million people. The Hispanic growth rate over

the April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 period was 28.7% — about four times the rate of the nation's total population (at 7.2%).

The growth rate from July 1, 2005 to July 1, 2006 alone was 3.4% - about three and a half times the rate of the nation's total population (at 1.0%).

The projected Hispanic population of the United States for July 1, 2050 is 102.6 million people, or 24.4% of the nation’s total projected

population on that date.

Of the nation's total Hispanic or Latino population, 49% (21.5 million) lives in California or Texas. New Mexico is the state with the highest ratio of Hispanics, where 44.7% is of Hispanic origin. Next are California and

Texas, with 35.9% and 35.6%.

Hispanic / Latino HistoryPeople of Hispanic or Latino heritage have lived continuously in the

territory of the present-day United States since the 1565 founding of St. Augustine, Florida by the Spanish.

Hispanics have also lived continuously in the Southwest since near the end of the 16th century, with settlements in New Mexico that began in 1598, and which were transferred to the area of El Paso, Texas in 1680. Spanish settlement of New Mexico resumed in 1692, and new ones were established in Arizona and California in the 18th century.

The Hispanic presence can even be said to date from half a century

earlier than St. Augustine, if San Juan, Puerto Rico is considered to be the oldest Spanish settlement, and the oldest city, in the U.S.

Latin American music refers to the music of all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and comes in many varieties.

Latin America is home to musical styles such as the simple, rural conjunto music of northern Mexico, the sophisticated habanera of Cuba, the rhythmic sounds of the Puerto Rican

plena, the symphonies of Heitor Villa-Lobos, and the simple and moving Andean flute.

Music has played an important part recently in Latin America's politics, the nueva canción (protest song) movement being a

prime example.

Latin music is very diverse, with the only truly unifying thread being the use of Latin-derived languages, predominantly the

Spanish language, the Portuguese language in Brazil, and to a lesser extent, Latin-derived Creole languages, such as those

found in Haiti.

Latin American Music

Latin American Instruments

• Bongo Drums

• Conga Drum

• Maracas

• Guiro

• Claves

• Cabaca

• Cuatro

Styles of Latin American Music• Salsa

• Mambo• Samba• Rumba• Tango

• Cha Cha• Balada• Bolero• Forro

• Mariachi

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