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Latin America is called "Latin America" because the countries that comprise Latin America speak Spanish and Portuguese, which are descended from Latin.

The main official languages in the region - Spanish, Portuguese (and French) are derived from Latin.

The term "Latin America" was coined in the 1860s when the French Emperor Napoleon III was trying to extend French imperial control over Mexico. He and his ministers used the term to try to suggest at least some degree of cultural similarity throughout the region and with France.

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11y ago
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12y ago

Latin was the language of Latium, a country in central western Italy, in which the city of Rome was founded.

Calling it Roman would be the equivalent of calling English Londonish. Nearly all languages are named after countries or regions; not cities, e.g. French, Korean, Spanish, Italian.

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Q: Why is Latin America called Latin America?
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