Latin America is a large region rich in history and culture, and it has been a melting pot of cultures and races well before the United States claimed the title. To the wealth of indigenous cultures that existed in the Americas when the Spaniards first arrived in 1492, we must add the cultural influence of millions of Africans brought to work as slaves on plantations and mines. In addition to Spanish, Portuguese and French colonizers, the region also saw a large influx of European immigrants, and in some countries, East Asian indentured laborers, late into the 19th century. The result is a melting pot of cultures that have not only lived side by side but also have intermingled to give birth to truly hybrid societies.