CULTURAL DIVERSITY: CHARACTERISTICS, IN MEXICO, SPAIN, ARGENTINA - CULTURE VOCABULARY

The cultural diversity is the exchange and interaction of different cultures in one space and involves adoption of such demonstrations by society. This concept has become very important: since 2001 it is considered a common heritage of humanity by Unesco.

The Unesco Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity establishes that “culture acquires diverse forms through time and space. This diversity is manifested in the originality and plurality of identities that characterize the groups and societies that make up humanity.

One of the most important concepts within this definition is related to cultural identity, a set that is established based on expressions, beliefs, traditions and characteristics of a certain region; As a consequence of these peculiarities, peoples express themselves in different ways.

Then, as a consequence of the interrelation of the cultural identities of each people or group, cultural diversity arises as an element of union and complementarity between people with different roots and influences.

characteristics

Multiple cultures

Although it seems obvious, it is necessary to mention that in cultural diversity there are multiple cultures, as this is a strictly necessary peculiarity. For there to be diversity, several cultures must be present, each one developed by different groups.

These cultures may have been interrelated in the past or are doing so today. In any case, as long as cultures of different characteristics coexist at a given moment, cultural diversity can take place.

Distinctive features

Each culture must have unique specificities, such as ethnicity, sex, race, language, religion, history, art, music, among others.

The original elements of each culture are those that will guarantee that they can be interrelated while maintaining their essence, while receiving the influences of the other cultures involved.

Cultural difference

As a consequence of the distinctive features, within a dynamic framed by cultural diversity, it is possible to experience clashes of conceptions and ways of seeing life that are typical of one culture or another.

The differences that occur between one group and another are an inherent consequence of cultural diversity.

Preservation

It is about the preservation of knowledge to prevent myths, languages, religions and other peculiarities from being lost over time and by the promulgation of other stronger civilizations. To the extent that there is greater preservation, there will be a cultural diversity with a better livelihood.

Interculturality

Within a context of cultural diversity, one should avoid giving greater preponderance to one society or culture over another. Ideally, in these scenarios, different cultures coexist and base their interaction on dialogue, communication and respect for their expressions.

How does it manifest?

Culture is expressed through different ways, such as language, religion, traditional manifestations, customs, among others.

Cultural diversity is the product of historical, political, social and technological processes of a group and evolves over time, spanning several generations.

When a nation or geographic space is created, values, thoughts and beliefs are adopted that are reflected in art, gastronomy, music, sports and any cultural aspect of a population.

In this context, when in a geographic space that enjoys a specific and extended cultural identity is in direct contact with other currents and manifestations, cultural diversity is present.

A very clear example of the manifestation of cultural diversity dates back to colonial times. The territories conquered by the Spanish Crown took for themselves elements of their daily life, such as language and gastronomy, among others.

In this way, the inhabitants of these lands combined their own expressions with those observed in the settlers.

In Mexico

Mexico is one of the countries with the greatest cultural diversity. This nation is recognized for having a very culturally enriched society thanks to its indigenous heritage and the European influence it received at various important moments in its history.

Its origins date back to the Aztec Empire, and with the passage of time this country has modernized and has acquired other elements of contemporary cultures such as European or North American.

Mexican society can be described as cheerful, kind, and hard-working, taking advantage of occasions to come together and celebrate both life and death. Some of the most outstanding characteristics of cultural diversity in Mexico are the following:

Present original customs

Although the majority of the Mexican population lives in the city, it is estimated that there are 17% of indigenous people who live according to their original customs and traditions, regardless of where they live in the country.

Combined gastronomy

Mexican gastronomy mixes ingredients that come from very different times and representatives. Chili, corn, avocado, wheat, tequila and mezcal are essential elements in this meal.

In this group of foods, the Spanish and indigenous influence can be observed, which merged and created a fairly complete and varied gastronomy, which is currently highly valued in the world.

Religion

Faith and beliefs play a fundamental role in this country, where churches and religious images are constantly venerated.

The Catholic cult of Mexicans has as its main representative the Virgin of Guadalupe; however, it is important to note that there are also other sources of veneration with more ancestral roots.

Mexicans conceptualize death in a peculiar way: unlike many other societies, they do not fear death; on the contrary, they consider it to be another form of existence. In this vision, the influence of indigenous roots and their beliefs about existence on the material and immaterial planes can be noted.

For this reason, one of the most important traditional festivals is the celebration of the Day of the Dead, which is commemorated on November 1 and 2. These days it is believed that the deceased return to the world of the living to celebrate with their loved ones who are still alive.

You may also be interested in the most common traditions of Mexico.

In Spain

Spain represents the union of influences from Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean, which is why it is a clear example of cultural diversity.

Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Muslims and Iberians, among other individuals with very varied roots, have lived in this territory for years. This mixture is the reason why, in addition to Spanish, other languages are spoken such as Galician, Valencian, Catalan, etc.

Below we will mention the most important peculiarities of Spanish multiculturalism:

Diverse art

Spain is recognized as the country that saw the birth of great artists such as Miguel de Cervantes, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Federico García Lorca, among other prominent representatives of the arts.

All of them enjoyed worldwide fame for their works and for the way in which they had a marked influence on the rest of humanity, precisely because of the mixture of conceptions and thoughts.

Within the artistic world, architecture is one of the aspects where the mixture of societies enjoyed by the Spanish nation is most evident.

In this country there is evidence of the fusion of classical art, modernism, the Gothic and a host of other currents, all this reflected in its very varied constructions.

Gastronomy with Middle Eastern influence

Thanks to the climate, topography and culture, a very rich and typical gastronomy with certain Middle Eastern airs has been created. The passage of Jews and Muslims through this country left their mark on the kitchen.

Within the range of common ingredients in Spanish gastronomy there are some typical ones such as fish and others inherited such as saffron. The fusion of races left a unique culinary art that has spread throughout the world, and which has been enriched in such a way that it is very attractive.

In Argentina

Argentina, and especially its capital, Buenas Aires, is considered by many people the most European nation and city in America. During the First and Second World War, many foreigners made this South American country their home, bringing with them many of the customs and traditions of their countries of origin.

Today the Albiceleste republic stands out for its extensive and varied cultural activity. Every day and from almost any corner, tourists and locals can get artistic expressions that range from the most indigenous to the most foreign.

Concerts, musicals, plays, exhibitions and many more activities are presented daily in the Argentine streets. Here are some aspects of this country that stand out for its cultural diversity:

Multicultural population

The Argentine ethnic composition denotes multiculturalism. The current settlers are a fusion between the Afro-Argentines, the inhabitants of the plains (called gauchos) and the Europeans, mostly Italian and Spanish.

Studies affirm that 90% of Argentines have European roots, 56% come from indigenous families and only 3% have African ancestors. These figures show the diversity that exists in this country, which has fostered different cultural exchanges.

This mixture of races intensified in the mid-1850s, when the English and French, among other inhabitants of Europe, as well as several residents of Asia, arrived in Argentina.

Fine arts

Although the beginnings of architecture date back to the 16th century, many of these structures were destroyed because they remembered the time of colonization and, consequently, the struggle for independence. The Cabildo of Buenos Aires and the Recova of the Plaza de Mayo were some of these cases.

Currently there are important pieces such as the Obelisk of Buenos Aires and the Colón theater, which have been products of the influence of Europe in this South American nation.

In Peru

Lord of Miracles in Lima

The culture of Peru is the product of its ancestors. The Inca civilization was so important and so advanced for its time that many of today's customs, traditions and festivities come from that time. The influence that this civilization had on society is undeniable.

It is a mixture of indigenous origin that was adapted to other cultures, such as African and Asian. In addition, it was adapted to a geographical location full of jungle and humidity. Proof of its diversity is the presence of 11 ecoregions and 84 of the 117 life zones that exist on the planet.

Peru is characterized by being very diverse, but even so it keeps its origins very present, which are manifested in many of the cultural expressions of this society. Some of these demos are as follows:

Complemented architecture

In this country you can find works from different historical moments and marked with very different influences.

Some examples of these important constructions are the Andean town Machu Picchu and the pyramidal structures such as the Huacas del Sol and de la Luna, and those of Maranga and Mateo Salado.

It is also possible to find works from the colonial era, such as the Cathedral of Cusco or the Penitentiary of Lima. These buildings are a reflection of how the colonizing dynamics introduced architectural elements of European roots into this society, which ended up coexisting on a daily basis.

Merged gastronomy

Peruvian gastronomy is one of the most prestigious in the world. Its variety of typical dishes is so great that it has been awarded the Guinness record in this area. This variety responds precisely to the cultural diversity of this society, which is also reflected in its culinary proposals.

It is a fusion between pre-Columbian, European and African origins. In more modern times, specifically in the 19th century, Japanese and Cantonese influences were added. Experts in the field say that it is the only part of the world where you can appreciate flavors from four different continents.

In Peruvian gastronomy, it can be seen how the most traditional and original way of cooking has merged with other methods, generating in most cases a relationship of complementarity.

References

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CULTURAL DIVERSITY: CHARACTERISTICS, IN MEXICO, SPAIN, ARGENTINA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025