ABSTRACT
The essence of being Hispanic is the sharing of a common heritage. That cultural heritage is traced back to the rich history of the Iberian Peninsula, where Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, Visigoths, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Arabs created the ethnic and cultural base of the peninsula. The Romans left the indelible seal of Christianity. The Arabs made scientific, architectural, literary, and philosophical contributions. All of these peoples influenced the character and the language of the inhabitants of Iberia. These people eventually influenced deeply the cultures of Latin America.
