At that time they were out of Granada in 1492, the Arabs were an indelible mark of race and culture.
Both the Spanish and Portuguese have a strong influence on the Arabic language.
However, when the Spanish and Portuguese across the Atlantic to conquer America, is closely related to the Arab world, was lost in some way, as new colonies fought for their identity.
More than five centuries later, the arrival of South American Heads of State in Doha, Qatar, to attend a presidential summit with Arab leaders in concerted efforts on both sides again with each other and in relationships, as has already been a long time.
To Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, is a priority.
"It is essential that the countries of South America to an understanding with the peoples of the Middle East, Arab world, so we are not only commercial but also cultural and political relations, so that we are free of ties and decisions of so-called rich countries," he said in exclusive interview with Al Jazeera.
Joint relations
These efforts to find common language with the Arab countries in Latin America reflects the changing priorities.
Over the past eight years, the political map has changed radically, with each of the major countries of South America, except Peru and Colombia, currently ranging from one to the left and center left government.
In Venezuela, "sharply anti-American President Hugo Chavez, Brazil and Chile in the moderate leaders, are committed advocates of a multipolar world not dominated by one superpower or bloc of industrialized countries.
"Ten years ago, it would be impossible to imagine it as a reunion between the Arabs and the Latin America and South America," said Chavez.
"Now that the leftist movements have political power and government in Latin America, which opened this possibility, and that long before our government to its knees before the United States Department of State," he said.
Links Limited
While they are on opposite sides of the planet, and very different cultures and political structures, these two regions have a colonial experience.
Given the changing global political and economic map of South America and the Arab region, the forces that their voices more weight, especially in multilateral forums as the G20 group of leading industrialized countries.
Center for South America, Brazil, supported Arabic to promote his candidacy as a permanent member of UN Security Council, which, if successful, will the Arab region as a strategic ally in the scene.
South American and Arab leaders summit was the creation of the President of Brazil, which held its first meeting in 2005 in Brasilia.
At that time it was little more than declarations of good intentions to strengthen the relationship, however, is an important first step.
"Our relationship with the [Arab world] has been very limited, very small ... we had a trade deficit of $ 8BN with the Arab world, and after the meeting, following the initiative of our government, our trade balance rose to U.S. $ 20 million" , said Lula.
Something similar happened in Argentina, where in just three years, exports to the Arab region increased from 1.8 billion dollars to 4.5 billion dollars, according to Sattam Al Kaddour, the Secretary General of the Argentina Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Arab languages.
Arab origin
If it is not surprising.
There are 20 descendants of the Arabs and the Arabs living in the region, especially in South America.
Only in Brazil is about 10 meters. About 8 of them Lebanese - more than in Lebanon itself.
Argentina, an estimated 3.5 million people of Lebanese and Syrian descent. Carlos Menem, former president of Argentina, is the son of Syrian immigrants.
Neighboring Chile is the largest Palestinian community outside the Middle East, the vast majority of Palestinian Christians from Bethlehem and the migration of Beit Jala.
The first outcome of the mid 19 th century, when Palestine was approved by the Ottomans.
Following the establishment of Israel in 1948, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians lost their homes, many Arab Christians followed their ancestors to America.
Most went to Chile, where the mountains and the Mediterranean climate of Santiago in central valley seemed familiar.
Today, many Palestinian children are members of prominent political and economic communities.
But, despite the large number of South Americans of Arab descent, direct contacts between the two regions has been limited.
It was not until last year that the first direct flight between the city in South America (Sao Paulo) and an Arab country (Dubai) has been opened.
Trade benefits
Why is it taken so long?
Celso Amorim, Brazilian Foreign Minister, said: "Until now, these two regions have always used the link to the U.S. or Europe, but not together.
"The unprecedented pace of these two regions can only be welcomed, especially from the economy in South America.
Capacity incredible, because if we focus on the entire Arab world and Latin America, we see that the economies of these two regions complement each other.
"In the Arab region, the great desert and very dry climate, as well as in Latin America, green, fertile land and 26 percent of the world's water supply," said Al Kaddour.
The trade balance is still in favor of South America.
"Food is the most important export sector now that the Arab region is a major purchaser of food and South America, especially Brazil and Argentina are countries with a large agro-industry," said Al Kaddour.
Expected the second South American and Arab Heads of State and Government at their summit in Doha will be a new impetus to the relations found.
Widespread sympathy for the Palestinian cause in South America, especially after the recent war of Israel in the Gaza Strip, where more than 1300 Palestinians have been killed, they should help.
Venezuela and Bolivia, as before, the Ambassador of Israel in their countries, Chile and Brazil, and strong convictions, while the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
"This is a very interesting exchange of views between the Arabs and the leaders of South America, around the building, is not it?" Chavez said.
"Most importantly, however, geopolitical relations. I think this is the way that we use in the construction of a multipolar world."