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When Spanish explorers arrived on the coast of South America, they found that natives had built their homes on stilts among the swampy shore of Lake Maracaibo. Because this reminded the Europeans of the city of Venice, they named the region Venezuela (Little Venice). Today, Venezuela is one of the leading oil-producing nations in the world. It has a high rate of population growth, and most of its people live in urban areas. As the sixth-largest country in Latin America, Venezuela has great influence on its neighbors economically, politically, and culturally. Each lavishly illustrated book in the "South America Today" series teaches about the geography, history, economy, and culture of each nation. Each volume is indexed, and contains a bibliography featuring books and Web sources for further information....

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With its mild climate and vast pasturelands, Uruguay has sustained a strong agricultural economy based mostly on raising sheep and cattle. Family farms and large plantations occupy much of the green rolling plains of this small country, sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina along South America's southeastern coast. Leading manufacturing industries process and export beef, hides, and wool. Most of Uruguay's approximately 3.5 million citizens live in urban areas that have risen on the country's narrow coastal plains, to the west along the Uruguay River, in the south bordering the Rio de la Plata, and in the east along the Atlantic seaboard. Despite social and political unrest toward the end of the 20th century, Uruguay maintains a high standard of living for its large middle class. Each lavishly illustrated book in the "South America Today" series teaches about the geography, history, economy, and culture of each nation. Each volume is indexed, and contains a bibliography featuring books and Web sources for further information....

With its mild climate and vast pasturelands, Uruguay has sustained a strong agricultural economy based mostly on raising sheep and cattle. Family farms and large plantations occupy much of the green rolling plains of this small country, sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina along South America's southeastern coast. Leading manufacturing industries process and export beef, hides, and wool. Most of Uruguay's approximately 3.5 million citizens live in urban areas that have risen on the country's narrow coastal plains, to the west along the Uruguay River, in the south bordering the Rio de la Plata, and in the east along the Atlantic seaboard. Despite social and political unrest toward the end of the 20th century, Uruguay maintains a high standard of living for its large middle class. Each lavishly illustrated book in the "South America Today" series teaches about the geography, history, economy, and culture of each nation. Each volume is indexed, and contains a bibliography featuring books and Web sources for further information....

Brazil is the fifth-largest nation in the world. The largest country in Latin America, it covers almost half of South America. Discovered by Portuguese settlers in the early 16th century, Brazil today boasts a culture that blends native, Portuguese, African, Japanese, and other influences. During the past 40 years, there have been many changes in Brazil's society and economy. Schools and hospitals have become more available, highways have been built and industries developed, and modern conveniences have been introduced even in once-isolated areas. The country remains popular among tourists because of its friendly people and great beauty. Each lavishly illustrated book in the "South America Today" series teaches about the geography, history, economy, and culture of each nation. Each volume is indexed, and contains a bibliography featuring books and Web sources for further information....

Nearly 500 years ago the representatives of two great, but very different, civilizations clashed in the Andes Mountains of modern-day Peru. The Incas who lived in the region had established a highly advanced civilization and built great cities and temples of stone. From Europe, Spanish soldiers led by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro came seeking the Incas' gold. The blend of Spanish and native has contributed greatly to the development of Peru. The Republic of Peru is a land of great variety. High mountains, dense jungles, and barren deserts are all found close together. The country is the third largest in South America. Though Peru has great natural wealth, its economic development has been slow. Each lavishly illustrated book in the "South America Today" series teaches about the geography, history, economy, and culture of each nation. Each volume is indexed, and contains a bibliography featuring books and Web sources for further information....

Belize became independent in 1981. The country possesses deep forests, a beautiful coastline, and a lifestyle that appeals to vacationers. Read this book to find out: how Britain fought Spain's claim to Belize beginning in the 1700s; why Guatemala refused to recognize Belize as a new nation in 1981; why the head of state in Belize is the British queen; which ancient Amerindian civilization has been linked to ruins throughout Belize; and, which North American Christian religious group established a large colony in Belize not long ago. In addition, in this book you'll find project and report ideas-including enough recipes for an authentic Belizean buffet-a glossary, a list of festivals, organizations to contact for more information, and suggestions for further reading. There's a lot to discover about Belize today....

Stretching over most of southern South America, Argentina is the world's eighth-largest country. It is home to some of the world's tallest mountains, along with tumbling waterfalls, enormous grassland plains, and wide deserts. Argentina's history has been a series of ups and downs. The country was among the most prosperous in the world during the first half of the 20th century. However, Argentina has been troubled by inflation and debt in recent years, leading to the collapse of its economy and to social and political unrest. South America's economic prospects may hinge largely on whether this important nation can recover in the coming years. Each lavishly illustrated book in the "South America Today" series teaches about the geography, history, economy, and culture of each nation. Each volume is indexed, and contains a bibliography featuring books and Web sources for further information....

The smallest and most densely populated of the seven Central American countries, El Salvador means 'the Savior' in English. A mild climate, rich soil, and hardworking people remain El Salvador's greatest assets. This title helps to find out: why a group of privileged families continues to control El Salvador; why El Salvador's mountains are ideal for growing coffee; how deforestation has affected the country's economy and wildlife; why more than 1 million El Salvadorans live abroad; and, what key role the Catholic Church has played in El Salvador's political affairs in the past 35 years. In addition, in this book you'll find project and report ideas - including enough recipes for an authentic El Salvadoran buffet-a glossary, a list of festivals, organizations to contact for more information, and suggestions for further reading. There's a lot to discover about El Salvador today....

Brazil is the fifth-largest nation in the world. The largest country in Latin America, it covers almost half of South America. Discovered by Portuguese settlers in the early 16th century, Brazil today boasts a culture that blends native, Portuguese, African, Japanese, and other influences. During the past 40 years, there have been many changes in Brazil's society and economy. Schools and hospitals have become more available, highways have been built and industries developed, and modern conveniences have been introduced even in once-isolated areas. The country remains popular among tourists because of its friendly people and great beauty. Each lavishly illustrated book in the "South America Today" series teaches about the geography, history, economy, and culture of each nation. Each volume is indexed, and contains a bibliography featuring books and Web sources for further information....

This narrow strip of land - only 30 miles wide at its narrowest point, and rarely wider than 75 miles anywhere - contains one of the great engineering marvels of the last century: the Panama Canal, known to the world as 'the path between the seas'. This title helps to find out: how Panama's 'geographic destiny' as the stepping-stone between oceans has shaped its history over the centuries; when the Spanish carved out the Camino Real-the Royal Road- expressly for the purpose of hauling gold over the isthmus; which country tried to dig a canal through the isthmus first, before the United States; what caused the United States to invade Panama in 1989 under Operation Just Cause; and, how the United States and Panama negotiated new treaties, dividing responsibilities for managing and defending the famous canal. In addition, in this book you'll find project and report ideas - including enough recipes for an authentic Panamanian buffet - a glossary, a list of festivals, organizations to contact for more information, and suggestions for further reading. There's a lot to discover about Panama today....

Concise biographies of newsworthy world leaders Each volume presents an objective overview of the particular leader and examines him in the context of the politics of the time Excellent introductory biographies with full-colour photographs...