Impartial, modern, and friendly, this book introduces readers to the civilization and culture of Latin America-- from the most obscure beginnings to the present--and at the same time provides them with opportunities to improve their listening, speaking and writing skills. Comprehensive and chronological in approach, it offers well-researched coverage that goes beyond</U> historical facts to include aspects of modern interest, sociology, economy, politics, philosophy, literature, arts, and communication. It covers the traditions in all of Spanish America--"Mesoamerica" and the Caribbean, as well as South America. It uses a rich and formal vocabulary, including new words recently incorporated into Spanish. Cultural glosses or footnotes, written in Spanish, provide explanations, if necessary. Iberoamérica Aborigen:</U> Los protagonistas y su escenario; Las principales culturas indias; Iberoaméica Colonial:</U> El descubrimiento y la conquista; La colonización y la cultura; El Brasil colonial; Iberoamérica Independiente:</U> La independencia, la ilustración y el caudillismo; La organización de las naciones: El romanticismo y el positivismo; Siglo XX:</U> En busca del nuevo orden; La actualidad: Política y religión; La economía; Sociedad y educación; La literatura; Las artes, el teatro, el cine y la comunicación; Brasil imperial y Brasil republicano. For anyone interested in the Spanish language and Latin American Civilization.