10 Places Where Latino Culture Flourishes

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, has seen its Hispanic population — primarily from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Mexico — increase by 46 percent in the past decade. The Fairhill neighborhood is home to El Centro de Oro, an area known for its Latino restaurants, bookshops, music stores and galleries.

Tubac, Arizona

Tubac is located a half-hour drive from the Mexican border, in the Santa Cruz River Valley. This tranquil and uncongested city surrounded by mountains keeps its Hispanic heritage alive with festivals, celebrations, traditional dishes and Latino art. Traditional Spanish architecture — such as the historic Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac, built in 1752 — gives the city its character. Latinos make up 20.7 percent of its population and are its second-largest ethnic group.

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Pueblo, Colorado

Almost half of its residents are Hispanic, among them Mexicans, Cubans and Puerto Ricans. Pueblo celebrates its cultural heritage through its cuisine: the Loaf 'N Jug Chile & Frijoles Festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. One of the sunniest places in the United States, the city boasts a low cost of living and a host of outdoor activities.

St. Louis, Missouri

Located between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, St. Louis is home to about 11,000 Hispanics. The Latino presence is evident especially between Cherokee Street and Jefferson Avenue. Although English is the dominant language, Hispanic culture is alive and well in its grocery stores, taco bars, restaurants and art galleries — as well as the many places throughout town you can enjoy the sounds of Latin music. 

Trenton, New Jersey

In Trenton, New Jersey's capital, Hispanics constitute a sizable 33.7 percent of the population. In the colorful Columbus Day parades, Puerto Ricans and others come together with Latin bands, native dishes and their own customs. The New Jersey State Museum's permanent collection includes Latino art and exhibits feature works by artists such as Puerto Rican Jack Delano. Cubans and Dominicans join the crowds to watch Minor League Baseball's Trenton Thunder play.

Santa Ana, California

With 78.2 percent of Santa Ana residents being Hispanic, Santa Ana's main language is Spanish. El Día de los Reyes (the Epiphany or Three Kings Day) — celebrated every Jan. 6 and perhaps the best known facet of its Latino spirit — commemorates the three Wise Men's journey to Bethlehem to meet the baby Jesus. The most notable example of its Mexican heritage is its celebration of Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is the U.S. city with the greatest increase in its Hispanic population, a whopping 168 percent, between 2000 and 2013. It also has the honor of being one of the top 10 cities with the greatest economic recovery, attributable by many to immigrants' contributions. The traditions of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia and Ecuador are prominent. Culture brings the community together with events such as the Latin American Festival.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Surrounded by imposing mountains, the city is home to artists and designers from around the world, including Latin America. Twenty-two percent of its population is Latino, and most are under 35 years old. The Utah Brazilian Festival, with its samba rhythms, the Peruvian Festival, with its exquisite cuisine, and the Mexican Fiesta, with its well-known traditions, are some of the celebrations bringing together this city's Hispanic communities. 

Arlington, Virginia

About a sixth, 15.4 percent, of Arlington's population is Hispanic, comprising one of the largest Latino communities in the metro Washington, D.C. area. Arlington celebrates its diversity with festivals such as the Latin American Festival, the Short Cuts Festival (featuring short films) and others related to Peru, Bolivia and El Salvador. With its many restaurants, there's an abundance of Latin American cuisine.

Fort Myers-Naples, Florida

With a 123 percent increase, the Fort Myers-Naples area ranks fifth among U.S. cities with the fastest-growing Hispanic populations between 2000 and 2013. Thousands of years ago, Fort Myers was inhabited by the Calusa Indians, and in the mid-1800s, Spanish families started to arrive. Today, close to 12,000 Hispanics live there, mixing with other nationalities, primarily German, Haitian, English and Irish. Spanish and Creole are two of the most widely spoken languages. The city is famous for its beautiful natural scenery.

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