Latin America spans North and South America, including Caribbean. Region includes 19 sovereign nations and Puerto Rico. Most people speak Spanish or Portuguese, with other languages in Caribbean. Population has high mixed-race ratio due to colonial history. After 1492, 60 million Europeans, 11 million Africans, 5 million Asians arrived
War began in 1864 due to Paraguay's conflict with Brazil over Uruguayan War. Brazil and Argentina entered war in 1865, becoming Triple Alliance. Paraguay had 70,000-100,000 troops but poor military equipment. Brazil had 16,000 troops and 45 ships with 239 cannons
Chicha is a fermented or non-fermented beverage from Andes and Amazonia. Most common form is corn beer (chicha de jora) made from maize landraces. Other ingredients include quinoa, kañiwa, peanut, manioc, palm fruit, rice, potato. Chicha morada is non-fermented version made from purple maize with pineapple
Latin America refers to regions where Romance languages are predominantly spoken. Term coined by Chilean politician Francisco Bilbao in 1856. Initially excluded Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Initially used against US expansion in Americas
Mestizo means mixed European and non-European ancestry in Spanish Empire. Term was used in official documents like censuses and parish registers. Mestizos had higher status than other mixed-race people. Spanish colonial system divided society into Spanish, Indian, and African categories
Latin America spans North, South, Central America and Caribbean. Region covers 7.142 million square miles or 19.197 million square kilometers. Total population estimated at 626,741,000 in 2015. Most countries use Romance languages: Spanish, French, Portuguese, Creole. About 90% of population is Christian, 69% Catholic