Barrio - Definition and Overview

Barrio is a Spanish word meaning neighborhood. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, Barrios are as cohesive as the boroughs of New York city for example, sharing a church and traditions such as feast days.

It is often used in the United States to refer to a neighborhood with largely Spanish-speaking residents, though it can be used to mean a neighbourhood in any Spanish-speaking country.

While there are many barrios in the United States, El Barrio in New York City is among the more well-known ones. Also known as Spanish Harlem, this neighborhood is located on the northeastern portion of Manhattan and is home to over 116,000 residents, predominantly Puerto Ricans and African Americans.

In Spanish, Chinatowns are known as barrios chinos.

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