中南米(ちゅうなんべい)

中南米(ちゅうなんべい) covers both Central and South America. An abbreviation of 中央(ちゅうおう)アメリカ + 南(みなみ)アメリカ. Often used loosely as equivalent to ラテンアメリカ (Latin America).

Related geographic terms

• 北米(ほくべい): North America
• 南米(なんべい): South America
• 中米(ちゅうべい): Central America
• 中央(ちゅうおう)アメリカ: Central America (full form)

Cultural note

Japan has significant historical ties to 中南米(ちゅうなんべい) through emigration beginning in the 明治(めいじ)時代(じだい). Large Japanese-descendant communities (日系人(にっけいじん)) exist in Brazil, Peru, and other countries. Many 日系人(にっけいじん) have also migrated back to Japan.