Now in a fifth edition, Latin America has been updated to reflect the region's growing optimism as economies stabilize, trade diversifies, and political systems become more participatory. This multidisciplinary survey of Latin American history, politics, and society features invited contributions from authorities in a variety of fields. New sections address current events including deforestation in Costa Rica and Brazil, emerging social movements, Ecuador's new constitution, and Obama's stated objectives to repair U.S. relations with the region. In addition, key topics (such as women and Latin American politics, socialist governments and anti-American sentiment, Argentina's deteriorating economy, and Colombia's struggle with military and narcotics issues) receive expanded and revitalized treatment. Other updated material covers outcomes of recent elections in Bolivia, Brazil, and Nicaragua, among others. Through a hybrid thematic and regional organization, this text provides an essential foundation for introductory courses on Latin America.

List of Maps, Tables, Figures, and Illustrations 1 Introduction: Latin America Leading the Learning Curve Jan Knippers Black PART ONE: THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE 2 Landscape and Settlement Patterns Alfonso Gonzalez 3 The Indian Populations of Latin America Karl H. Schwerin 4 Harmonizing and Disharmonizing Human and Natural Environments David Stea and G. Shane Lewis PART TWO: HISTORICAL SETTING 5 Colonial Latin America Peter Bakewell 6 Latin America Since Independence: An Overview Michael Conniff PART THREE: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STRUCTURES 7 Latin American Economies Restructure, Again William P. Glade 8 Social Structure and Change in Latin America Henry Veltmeyer and James Petras 9 Strategies and Trends in Latin American Activism Wendy Muse Sinek PART FOUR: POLITICAL PROCESSES AND TRENDS 10 Participation and Political Process: The Collapsible Pyramid Jan Knippers Black 11 Women and Latin American Politics: Participation, Citizenship, and Democracy Jane S. Jaquette 12 Globalization, Insecurity, and Crisis in the Americas Jorge Nef PART FIVE: EXTERNAL RELATIONS 13 International Relations in Latin America: Conflict and Cooperation James Lee Ray 14 The United States and Latin America: Into a New Era Wayne S. Smith PART SIX: MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 15 Mexico: A Revolution Laid to Rest? Fred R. Harris and Martin C. Needler 16 Central America: From Revolution to "Low-Intensity Democracies" Thomas W. Walker and Christine J. Wade 17 Panama and the Canal Steve C. Ropp PART SEVEN: CUBA AND THE CARIBBEAN 18 The Cuban Revolution Nelson P. Valdes 19 The Caribbean: The Structure of Modern-Conservative Societies Anthony P. Maingot PART EIGHT: THE ANDES 20 Colombia's Split-Level Realities Jan Knippers Black with William H. Godnick 21 Venezuela: The Challenge to a "Model Democracy" Steve Ellner 22 Ecuador: Political Turmoil, Social Mobilization, and a Turn Toward the Left Pablo Andrade A. and Liisa L. North 23 Peru: Precarious Democracy amid Dependent Development in a Divided Nation Cy