Spanish Harlem, also known as East Harlem or El Barrio, is a neighborhood in northeastern part of the borough of Manhattan, one of the largest predominantly Hispanic communities in New York City. Since the 1950s, it has been populated by a large number of people of Puerto Rican descent, sometimes called Nuyoricans. In recent years the neighborhood has also become home to many Mexican American immigrants.

In decades past, the area was Italian American. In the 1920's and early 1930's, Italian Harlem was represented by future Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in Congress. Italian Harlem lasted in some parts into the 1970s in the area around Pleasant Avenue.

Spanish Harlem extends from about East 96th St. to East 125th St. and is bound by the Upper East Side, East River, Harlem, and Central Park. With the growth of the Latino population, the neighborhood is expanding.

Spanish Harlem is home to many artists and writers, including James De La Vega, whose murals and street drawings decorate the neighborhood and Piri Thomas whose autobiography "Down These Mean Streets" became a best-seller in 1967.

El Museo del Barrio, a museum of Latin American and Carribean art and culture is located on nearby Museum Mile and endeavors to serve some of the cultural needs of the neighboring community.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans