Latinos and Hispanics represent the second largest minority group in the United States, with their numbers continuing to rapidly increase. The majority live in cities located along the southern border of the country like Miami, Santa Ana, and El Paso, which have easy access to Latin American countries. In 2000, two-thirds of Latinos and Hispanics were of Mexican origin, while the next largest groups were Puerto Rican and Cuban American. The three largest Latino groups - Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban Americans - have differing characteristics but also share a common language and cultural aspects.

2. Population Latinos and Hispanics represent the second largest minority in the U.S. Number of Latinos continues to increase rapidly

3. Latinos’ Location Majority are found around on the southern edges of the United States Ex. – Miami, FL Santa Ana, CA and El Paso Texas These cities and others like it are easy to reach from Latino countries

4. Origin In the year 2000 Latinos and Hispanics came many different regions 12 %(32.8 million) Hispanic 66 %(21.6 million) Mexican origin Nearly 2 million Puerto Rican A smaller amount was Cuban- American or people of Central and South American descent

5. Characteristics Latinos share a common language and have the same cultural aspects, although can vary in some ways with the different nationalities

6. Three Largest Latino Groups Mexican American Puerto Rican Cuban American

7. Mexican American Some of are the descendants of residents of territories that had been annexed by the United States The majority has migrated over into the southwestern states Highest concentrations are found in California and Texas Very strong family ties in Mexico and U.S.

8. Puerto Ricans Considered the second largest group of Latinos Mostly located in large eastern cities Like Mexicans their family ties and loyalties are very strong Puerto Ricans living in the continental U.S. have low income so reverse migration is occurring

9. Cuban Americans Most are located in southern Florida, due to coming from Cuba Have been found that most are successful professionals Politically Cuban Americans are more conservative than the other Latino Americans The highest rate of income, employment, and proportion of professionals