Salsa is a style of music and dance that can trace its roots to Cuba and Puerto Rico. The genre first emerged in the 1970s and was popularized by immigrant Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians living in New York. Despite initially absorbing elements of American urban music, salsa is regarded as one of the most recognizable and influential styles of Latin pop music.
Samba is a very popular style of Brazilian music and dance. Based on a 2/4 rhythm, samba is also a close relative of bossanova, a lighter, jazzier pop music variation that became popular in the '50s and '60s.
Merengue is a style of Latin dance music that originated in the Dominican Republic. Merengue first emerged in the 1920s and continued to grow in popularity over the next 50 years. The style first become popular in the United States through Angel Viloria and his Conjunto Tipico Cibaeno band. Merengue has been tremendously influential on Latin pop and dance. Strong elements of it can be heard in modern reggaeton.
Latin pop includes various other genres that have emerged from Latin and Caribbean nations. Prime examples include banda, reggae, reggaeton, Tex-Mex, bossanova and flamenco.