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[[start page]] LATIN AMERICA Below the Rio Grande and the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, you enter a completely foreign land ―foreign in language, history and customs. Many of the people of Latin America are of native Indian stock. Others are descendants of the Spaniards and Portuguese who settled these regions and who created from them extensive and wealthy colonial empires. These countries, early in the nineteenth century, broke away from the mother countries, and formed the independent nations we know today. MEXICO. The country immediately south of us, Mexico, has had an interesting history. Conquered by Cortez, it became one of the important outposts of the Spanish empire. From its settlements were sent those missionaries who settled much of our southwest. Its capital, Mexico City, contains the oldest university on the North American continent. The city is noted for its many beautiful parks, buildings and avenues; and is a center of the art and culture of this section of Latin America. Its museum contains the famous calendar stone of the Aztecs. Other monuments of that interesting people from whom Cortez wrested control are either in the city or within easy reach. The Pyramids of Teotihuacan, the floating gardens of Xochimilco, are constant attractions for the visitor. The markets of Mexico City are most interesting and on successive days are devoted to the distinctive products of different cities and towns. Other cities of Mexico which you may wish to visit are: Acapulco, on the Pacific coast, famous seaside resort; Puebla, center of the tile-making industry; Tehuacan, of the mineral springs; Oaxaca, noted for its archeological monuments and its great Indian markets; Taxco and Guanjuato, silver centers; Mazatlan, picturesque seaport; Cuernavaca, beautiful city very near Mexico City itself. Of special interest to persons interested in natural phenomena, is Paricutin, volcano which has had its beginning in our century. Sports which the visitor to Mexico may enjoy are the bullfighting with the season from October to March; JAI ALAI, that 18 [[end page]] [[start page]] fast, exciting Spanish ball game; and charro riding and roping which takes place every Sunday in Chapultepec Park. One special section of Mexico is of special interest to the tourist who is interested in the civilizations of the American Indian. At Chichen Itza, and extending from this site in Yucatan into Guatemala, are the great monuments of the Mayas, that most highly developed civilization of the Indians of the hemisphere. The Mayan civilization has been compared to that of the ancient Greeks. Their priests were accomplished astronomers and mathematicians; their builders and artists have left remarkable monuments to their art. These Indians had a well-developed system of hieroglyphics, and an organized calendar. Chichen Itza has accommodations for travelers, and is well worth a visit. THE WEST INDIES. The romantic setting, the beautiful climate, the quaint cities, make the West Indies of the Spanish Main a wonderful spot for a vacation. You may reach this vacationland by plane or boat. You may go to one place for your entire stay, or you may go on one of the delightful Caribbean cruises, stopping at several ports. This is the land of Columbus, the Spanish conquistadors, Sir Henry Morgan and his fellow buccaneers, and the black Napoleon, Toussaint L'Ouverture. Havana, capital of Cuba, 'pearl of the Antilles,'; Kingston, capital of Jamaica, 'the most beautiful island in the world,'; Nassau, capital of the Bahamas; Port au Prince, capital of Haiti; Curacao, of the Netherlands West Indies; are just a few of the places which offer you beautiful scenery, exotic flowers, sports of all kinds, including exciting deepsea fishing, dancing under tropical stars, swimming in the blue Carribean or bathing in limpid mountain pools. You may visit the ramparts of the Spaniards; you may visit the haunts of pirates; you may visit sugar plantations; you may see where famous rums and liqueurs are made; you may shop. BERMUDA. While not a part of the West Indies, this crown colony of Great Britain, in the Atlantic only about six hundred miles from New York, offers much the same attractions. This 19 [[end page]]
