"Latinos brings together the most sophisticated thinking on the changing intellectual complexion of America."--Henry Louis Gates, Jr., author of Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man

This is a broad introduction to Latin America, ranging from religion and history to literature and education, with a focus on cultures and cultural change. With lively prose and a variety of informative inserts, Williamson draws the reader in to the diverse realities of a continent in flux, holding it together by a strong theoretical framework.

Updated and revised with many new detailed maps and photographs, this sixth edition enables geographers to explore the changes and major issues facing this dynamic region today. The historical material has been streamlined in order to focus on contemporary issues. Key environmental issues are highlighted in new boxes throughout the chapters. The Systematic surveys have been restructured. New profiles of Latin American countries and major issues are also covered. This approach will help geographers visit the dynamic people and places of Latin America.

The debt crisis in Latin America has rekindled debate about the effects of the IMF's stabilization programs in the Third World. Critics contend that these programs have short-run recessionary impacts and damage prospects for long-term growth. In response, Fund economists point to cross-country studies revealing mixed impacts on growth rates coupled with significant success in achieving the IMF's stated goals: current account and balance-of-payments improvements and inflation rate reduction. Dr. Pastor argues that the traditional growth-oriented critique is theoretically misplaced, and he recasts Fund activities in terms of class and income distribution. Applying the methodology of previous Fund studies, he evaluates the effects of IMF programs in eighteen Latin American countries in the pre-crisis period (1965-1981).