Latin Union The Latin Union – Spanish: Unión Latina; French: Union Latine; Italian: Unione Latina; Portuguese: União Latina; Romanian: Uniunea Latină – is an intergovernmental organization that gathers together the nations of the world that use a Romance language. Its aim is to promote and disseminate the common heritage and different identities of the Latin world. It was created in 1954 with the signing of a constituent agreement in Madrid, and it has existed as a functional institution since 1983. Since that date, its member states have risen from 12 to 35, and its membership now covers all parts of the world. Accession is open to any state that satisfies at least one of the following criteria: Linguistic criteria Official language derived from Latin Latin-derived language used in education Latin-derived language commonly used in the mass media or in daily life Linguistic/cultural criteria Existence of significant literature in a Latin-derived language Press and publication in Latin-derived language Television with a strong proportion of the programming in a Latin-derived language Radio widely broadcast in a Latin language Cultural criteria Direct or indirect inheritance of the legacy of Ancient Rome, to which the state remains faithful and which it perpetuates mainly through the education of Latin Cultural education of Latin-derived foreign languages Interchanges with other Latin countries Societal organization, particularly in the legal plane, based on respect for fundamental liberties, the general principles of human rights and democracy, tolerance and freedom of religion). Member states The Latin Union currently has members from four continents: Angola  |  Argentina  |  Bolivia  |  Brazil  |  Cape Verde  |  Chile  |  Colombia  |  Côte d'Ivoire  |  Costa Rica  |  Cuba  |  Dominican Republic  |  Ecuador  |  France  |  Guatemala  |  Guinea-Bissau  |  Haiti  |  Holy See (special status)  |  Honduras  |  Italy  |  Mexico  |  Moldova  |  Monaco  |  Mozambique  |  Nicaragua  |  Panama  |  Paraguay  |  Peru  |  Philippines  |  Portugal  |  Romania  |  San Marino  |  São Tomé and Príncipe  |  Senegal  |  Spain  |  Uruguay  |  Venezuela The official languages of the Latin Union are Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian. The first four are used as working languages. All the texts of general diffusion are translated into these four languages, with some also going into Romanian. See also Community of Portuguese Language Countries La Francophonie Romance languages Latin America External link Official site category:International organizations Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html for use of this content. To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_Union