(For the regions of the Americas formerly subject to the Spanish Empire, see Hispanic America.) Spanish Americans (hispano-americanos) is a term with multiple meanings. Within the context of Latin America, it can refer to the descendants of the estimated 16,800,000 Spaniards who emigrated to the Americas during the colonial period (1492–1824) and the millions more who settled after the independence of Latin American republics. The term can also extend to mean those who share a language and culture rooted in Spain, regardless of ancestry.