This document provides information about Spanish-speaking countries across Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean. It begins by listing the 21 Spanish-speaking countries and the five regions they span. It then provides brief descriptions and facts about Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia, highlighting details about their languages, cultures, foods, and holidays. The document emphasizes that while Spanish is widely spoken, these countries have diverse cultures and should not be generalized.

1. Exploring Diversity Through The
Spanish Speaking Countries
By: la señorita Gudiño

2. Latin America(Spanish
Speaking Countries)
• 21 Spanish Speaking countries.
• Latin America expands
throughout five regions:
-North America
- Central America
- South America
-Europe
-The Caribbean
Question: Have you ever
visited one of these countries?

3. North America
• México

4. Central America
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Nicaragua
• Costa Rica
• Panamá

5. South America
• Venezuela
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Perú
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Argentina
• Uruguay
• Paraguay

6. Caribbean
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico

7. Europe
• Spain

8. Mini quiz! Can you name
them all???
(Take the next 10 minutes and
Fill in the Blanks)
Key:
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Honduras
• Nicaragua
• Costa Rica
• Panamá
• México
• Venezuela
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Perú
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Argentina
• Uruguay
• Paraguay
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico
• Spain

9. Are all Spanish speaking
countries the same?

11. Nope!!!!!

12. México

13. North America-México
• A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico
is made up of 31 states and one federal district.
• It is the third largest country in Latin America and has
one of the largest populations-more than 1000 million-
making it the home of more Spanish speakers than any
other nation in the world.
• Many of Mexico’s rural areas are still inhabited by
indigenous people whose lifestyles are quite similar to
those of their ancestors.
• The majority of the Mexican population speaks
Spanish, the official national language. However,
another 60 indigenous languages are still spoken in
Mexico, including Maya in the Yucatán; Huastec in
northern Veracruz; Nahuatl, Tarastec, Totonac, Otomí
and Mazahua mainly in the Mesa Central region;
Zapotec, Mixtec and Mazatec in Oaxaca; and Tzeltal and
Tzotzil in Chiapas.
• The sports of the Mexican culture are, soccer, boxing,
baseball, bullfighting, and lucha libre.
• Mexican cuisine varies greatly by region but depends
heavily on an ancient trinity of staples:
corn(maize),beans and squash.
• Holidays: Semana Santa, Christmas, Las Posadas, Día
de los Reyes, El día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, Día de
los muertos,Halloween, All Souls’ Day, Día de la Raza,
Independence Day and Cinco de Mayo.
Questions:
Is Spanish the only language spoken
in Mexico? If not, what other languages
are spoken?

15. Costa Rica:

16. Central America- Costa
Rica
 The staples of the Costa Rican diet are rice and
black beans, along with bread, chicken or meat,
vegetables, salads, and fruits. Rice and beans
mixed together for breakfast is called GALLO
PINTO.
 Costa Ricans refer to themselves as “Ticos”(males)
and “Ticas”(females).
 Less than 1% of Costa Ricans are of indigenous
ancestry. 94% are of European or mestizo ethnicity.
 Currency: the Colon
 Costa Rica has a population of 4.1 million. The
capital is San Jose,with a metro area population of
approximately 2 million. The life expentancy is
almost 77 years, one of the highest in the world.
 Languages spoken: Spanish and English
 Due to its geographical location, Costa Rica bridges
the northern and southern most points of the two
American contents. This makes Costa Rica the
meeting point of a variety of cultures and a density
of plant and animal species said to be unlike any
Question:
What do Costa Rican women and men
refer themselves as?

17. Colombia:

18.  With a population of 42.3 million, Colombia is a nation of mixed race.
 Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed
black-Amerindian 3%, and Amerindian 1%.
 The official language is Spanish, which was imposed during the colonial
period. Al Colombians speak it except some of the indigenous populations
in the Amazonian basin. In major cities, English is used, particularly by the
upper class, but it is not commonly understood or spoken. In addition to
Spanish, over 200 indigenous languages and dialects are spoken.
 The family takes center stage in the social structure.
 Colombia can be termed a hierarchical society.
 People earn respect due to age and position.
 Men shake hands with direct eye contact.
 Numerous national holidays celebrate the country and its culture, and
many religious holidays are celebrated as national holidays. Important
church holidays include the Epiphany; Holy Week, which includes Easter;
All Saints Day; the Immaculate Conception; and Christmas. Colombia also
celebrates the feast days of various saints on both a national and a local
level.
 Feminine beauty is considered very important, and the country celebrates it
each November with the crowning of Miss Colombia. Apart from soccer, the
Reinado de Belleza is the most popular sports event.
South America-Colombia
Questions: What is one Colombian Holiday?

19. “We’re all unique
and beautiful in our
own special ways.
Say no to
generalizations”.
-Señorita Gudiño