9781422277492

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C onn ect i ng C u ltu r es T hrough F am i ly and F ood

throughout the world. Corn, potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate, and vanilla all originated in South America. In the 1800s, SouthAmericancountriesbeganfighting for their indepen- dence. As each new country separated itself fromEurope, it gained its own national identity, which mixed European and African cultural traditions and foods with those of the original inhabitants. Meanwhile, immigrants continued to arrive in South America, mainly from Europe, but also from China, Japan, and other parts of Asia. During the 19th and early 20th cen- tury, both North and South America became “melting pots” where people frommany different backgrounds came together.

South American nations such as Brazil mix European and African traditions.