Spanish Harlem, also known as East Harlem and El Barrio, is a predominately Latino community located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The neighborhood extends from Harlem River to the North, the East River to the east, East 96th Street to the South, and Fifth Avenue to the west. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was mostly inhabited by Italians. In the 1940s, a large number of Puerto Ricans migrated to the area and as their numbers grew, the area became known as Spanish Harlem. The neighborhood is known for its contributions to Salsa music and as a home to many famous artists including Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, and Marc Anthony. Spanish Harlem is a neighborhood that is alive with history and is a melting pot of Latino cultures.
