Through South America

"Through South America" by Harry Weston Van Dyke is a travel account that introduces readers to the diverse countries, rich histories, and important cultures found throughout South America in the early 1900s. The travelogue seeks to encourage a greater understanding of these often-underappreciated nations and their people. In his introduction, John Barrett points out that there is an increasing curiosity about Latin America, mainly because of the Panama Canal, which is predicted to improve trade and travel between North and South America. Barrett stresses the importance of knowing the complex histories and special traits of the twenty republics of Latin America, which sets the stage for a story that not only covers travel goals but also brings attention to the economic and social changes happening in these countries, which were not well-known to the general public.