Placing Latin America

Contemporary Themes in Geography, Fourth Edition

Edited by Edward L. Jackiewicz and Fernando J. Bosco

Placing Latin America offers a thematic approach to the study of the diverse geographies of a globalizing region. This comprehensive text focuses on the dynamic connections between people, places, and environments rather than on predefined notions about the region. The book’s well-rounded and accessible analysis includes discussions of borders and migration, transnationalism and globalization, urbanization and landscapes of cities, the connections between economic development and political change, the physical environment and human-environmental interactions, and natural resources in the context of a global economy. The authors also explore social and cultural themes such as the illegal drug trade, social movements, tourism, and children and young people. Providing a nuanced and clear perspective, this book will be an invaluable guide for all those interested in the politics, economy, and society of a rapidly changing continent.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 272 • Trim: 7¼ x 10

978-1-5381-2629-5 • Hardback • January 2020 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-5381-2630-1 • Paperback • January 2020 • $55.00 • (£42.00)

978-1-5381-2631-8 • eBook • January 2020 • $52.00 • (£40.00)

Subjects: Social Science / Human Geography, Political Science / World / Caribbean & Latin American

Courses: Geography; Human & Cultural; World Regional; Latin America

Placing Latin America

Contemporary Themes in Geography, Fourth Edition

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Placing Latin America offers a thematic approach to the study of the diverse geographies of a globalizing region. This comprehensive text focuses on the dynamic connections between people, places, and environments rather than on predefined notions about the region. The book’s well-rounded and accessible analysis includes discussions of borders and migration, transnationalism and globalization, urbanization and landscapes of cities, the connections between economic development and political change, the physical environment and human-environmental interactions, and natural resources in the context of a global economy. The authors also explore social and cultural themes such as the illegal drug trade, social movements, tourism, and children and young people. Providing a nuanced and clear perspective, this book will be an invaluable guide for all those interested in the politics, economy, and society of a rapidly changing continent.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 272 • Trim: 7¼ x 10

978-1-5381-2629-5 • Hardback • January 2020 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-5381-2630-1 • Paperback • January 2020 • $55.00 • (£42.00)

978-1-5381-2631-8 • eBook • January 2020 • $52.00 • (£40.00)

Subjects: Social Science / Human Geography, Political Science / World / Caribbean & Latin American

Courses: Geography; Human & Cultural; World Regional; Latin America

Author

Edward L. Jackiewicz is professor and chair of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at California State University, Northridge. Fernando J. Bosco is professor in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University.

Table of Contents

List of Figures, Tables, and Textboxes

Introduction to the Fourth Edition

Fernando J. Bosco and Edward L. Jackiewicz

Chapter 1: Imagining and Creating Latin America as a Region

Fernando J. Bosco

Chapter 2: Historical Geography: 500 Years of Change from Within and Without

Edward L. Jackiewicz and Fernando J. Bosco

Chapter 3: Global Challenges, Regional Change, and Persistent Inequalities: An Overview of Latin America’s Political Economy

Edward L. Jackiewicz and Ashlee Sellung

Chapter 4: Economic and Geopolitical Vulnerabilities and Opportunities

Thomas Klak

Chapter 5: Latin American Cities: Transitions and Transformations

Zia Salim and Fernando J. Bosco

Chapter 6: Cities and Sustainability: Neoliberal Urban Governance and Policy Initiatives

Carolina Sternberg

Chapter 7: Physical Geography: The Human-Environment Context

Benjamin F. Timms and James J. Hayes

Chapter 8: Natural Resources: Booms and Busts between Nationalism and Neoliberalism

Christian Brannstrom

Chapter 9: Genetically Modified Crops and the Remaking of Latin America’s Food Landscape

Elizabeth Fitting

Chapter 10: Mass and Alternative Tourisms in Latin America and the Caribbean

Edward L. Jackiewicz and Thomas Klak

Chapter 11: Drugs’ Place in Latin America’s Geographies

Kent Mathewson and Zoe Pearson

Chapter 12: Children and Young People: Inequality, Rights, and Empowerment

Kate Swanson

Chapter 13: Latin American Social Movements: Places, Scales, and Networks of Action

Fernando J. Bosco

Chapter 14: Regional Geographies of the US-Mexico Border

Kimberly Collins and Michal Kohout

Chapter 15: Transnational Latin America: Movements, Places, and Displacements

Araceli Masterson-Algar

Index

About the Contributors

Reviews

A refreshing look at human geographic themes that will serve as a cornerstone in any course in the social sciences about Latin America and the Caribbean, especially geography. The inclusion of social movements, cinema, sustainable tourism, human rights, and NGOs is particularly welcome. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Joseph L. Scarpaci, Center for Cuban Culture + Economy

The latest edition of this successful book edited by Jackiewicz (California State Univ. Northridge) and Bosco (San Diego State Univ.) continues to represent the concerns of earlier versions while bringing the reader more up to date interpretations of the continuously evolving issues that manifest the region’s dynamic characteristics. Changes in the region have been profound in recent years, yet key themes persist in practice. As in the first edition (CH, Feb'09, 46-3426), each chapter could stand alone, permitting the reader to approach the book selectively. Several authors advance the significant issues within their respective chapters. The book is again organized for conceptual continuity, first dealing with historical, then economic, political, and finally border and urban themes. Importantly, some topics not previously dealt with are incorporated, such as environmental politics, tourism, new issues related to child welfare, and the presence of significant numbers of Latin Americans in the US. Each chapter includes its own list of suggested readings, and some also cite recommended relevant films. Key terms, too, are listed here, emphasizing main concepts that could escape the grasp of newly initiated readers. Black-and-white maps and photographs support the text, and most chapters employ text boxes to provide closeup treatments of significant examples. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

— Choice Reviews

This collection provides insights on many of these transformations, showing the region as a dynamic, adaptive area adjusting continually to changes in a competitive world environment. . . . Helpful bibliographic citations are found at the end of most chapters. Written by geographers, the compilation provides a greater understanding of issues facing the region, themes not commonly found in texts and other printed material. For that reason alone, the book is an important read for all those interested in Latin America. Highly recommended. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Choice Reviews

Respected Latin Americanist geographers tackle a wide range of current issues in this timely book. Many of the chapters discuss the failures of neoliberalism and modernization and highlight the roles of new social movements and political regimes in contesting orthodoxies of globalization. Updated chapters on such newsworthy topics as cities and sustainability, natural resources, genetically modified crops and food, tourism, drugs, children, social movements, and the border will engage the attention of students. This continues to be a valuable and welcome contribution to the textbook literature.
— Gregory Knapp, The University of Texas at Austin

Numerous respected Latin Americanist geographers tackle a wide range of current issues in this timely volume. Many of the chapters discuss the failures of neoliberalism and modernization and highlight the role of new social movements and political regimes in contesting orthodoxies of globalization. Essays on such newsworthy topics as migration, border issues, cinema, and drugs should engage the attention of students. This is a valuable and welcome addition to the textbook literature. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Gregory W. Knapp, University of Texas at Austin

The editors have crafted a highly readable and relevant fourth edition of Placing Latin America that showcases dynamic shifts in the social and economic geographies of the region. Collectively, the diverse contributors cast a spotlight on regional concerns regarding social justice, economic inequality, sustainability, urbanization, and the transnational reach of Latin American goods and people. Up-to-date and with many helpful references, this book will resonate with college students. It is an ideal foundational text for any Latin American geography course.
— Marie Price, George Washington University; president of the American Geographical Society

In depth and great selection. Good for upper-level undergraduate courses and graduate courses. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Jose Morales, New Jersey City University

Jackiewicz and Bosco’s Placing Latin America is a multidimensional and timely exploration of the diverse human geographies of Latin America. It’s refreshing to encounter a text that so masterfully weaves robust and critical thematic coverage of Latin America together with a nontraditional regional approach that recognizes and engages with the region’s multiscalar and transnational reality. Chapters on historical geographies, political economies, geopolitics, urban geographies, sustainability, and human-environment interaction provide new insights into classic themes in Latin American geography, while chapters on the US-Mexico borderlands, social movements, geographies of children and young people, drugs, tourism, and foodscapes bring new perspectives and voices to vital conversations and debates. This volume should be required reading for any undergraduate course and graduate seminar in Latin American geography.
— John C. Finn, Christopher Newport University and editor of the Journal of Latin American Geography

Finally! We now have a text on Latin America that we can use in our Geography of Latin America classes without having to resort to texts of the past that covered each region or country in the repetitive fashion of ‘physical landscapes, history, and culture.’ Rather, Jackiewicz and Bosco bring together a collection of essays on topics that dominate Latin America today. After grounded and necessary chapters on history and the physical geography of the region, the authors lead us into what is taking place in Latin America today, from the drug trade and control of natural resources to timely exploration of urban issues and human migration throughout the Americas. I cannot wait to introduce my students to Latin America through the lens of these authors. Thank you. (Previous Edition Praise)
— Matthew Taylor, University of Denver

Bar none, this is the best geography text on Latin America. Accessibly written chapters by geography experts review timeless and emergent themes, from boom/bust cycles of economic change to the new geographies of immigration enforcement. Updated to reflect the latest changes in the region and in its scholarship, this latest edition of Placing Latin America will ensure the steady appeal of this text for intro-level and advanced students alike.
— Kendra McSweeney, The Ohio State University

Features

Provides a thematic approach to the study of Latin America

Connects critical concepts in human and environmental geography such as scale, place, and spatiality

Takes a comprehensive approach to the study of Latin America that focuses on the dynamic connections between people, places, and environments rather than on predefined views of the region

Each thematic chapter outlines key geographic terms, is illustrated by specific examples and case studies from different places, and includes further suggested readings

Covers themes not typically found in textbooks, such as the geographies of drugs, tourism, children, social movements, migration, and changing geopolitical dynamics

Considers current problems of borders and migration between the United States, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America