Book excerpt: U.S. culture has been profoundly impacted by contributions from Mexico and the rest of Central America, South America, and the Spanish Caribbean. These contributions and their adaptations in the United States are showcased in nearly 500 essay entries on noted people, festivities, items, terms, movements, sports, food, events, places, visual and performing arts, film, institutions, fashion, literature, organizations, the media, and much more. The wide range of entries with many areas of unique coverage will meet the high demand for multidisciplinary use. Students and other readers will appreciate the inclusiveness of cultural groups, the gender sensitivity, and the heavy contextual grounding of the topics. The Latino population is the fastest-growing segment of our society, and this encyclopedia is the first to focus on the breadth of their cultural expression. The up-to-date entries and authoritative information provided by a host of subject experts will make this the source to turn to for quick reference and research. Numerous photos complement the text.