Brad D. Jokisch is associate professor of geography at Ohio University. His research is at the nexus of migration, environment, and development. His research has focused on Ecuador, migration, and environment and development issues. He was chair of the Conference of Latin American Geography (CLAG), and Director of Latin American Studies at Ohio University. Jokisch is the recipient of the 2023 CLAG Teaching Award.

• PrefaceChapter 1. A Theoretically Informed Regional Approach What is Latin America and the Caribbean? Regions and the Invention of Latin America Development Geography and Development TheoryNature and Society in Latin America: Hazards and Political EcologyChapter 2. The Physical Geography and Hazards of Latin America and the CaribbeanThe Physical Processes Shaping Weather and ClimateMajor Climates of Latin America and the Caribbean Tectonic Activity and LandformsNatural Hazards and Disasters The Impacts of Global Climate ChangeChapter 3. Indigenous Peoples and European ArrivalThe First Peoples Major Indigenous Civilizations and their PrecursorsAgriculture in the AmericasThe Conquest and Cultural CatastropheConclusionChapter 4. Historical Foundations: From Colonial Latin America to the Early 20th CenturyThe Political Geography of Colonial Latin America and the CaribbeanMercantilism, Labor, and the Colonial EconomyIndependence and the End of the Colonial EraEarly Republican Latin America: Geopolitical WranglingExports and Immigrants: The late 19th Century EconomyHere Come the Gringos: Gunboat Diplomacy, a Canal, and the Rising Influence of the United StatesConclusionChapter 5. The Economic Geography of Latin America and the CaribbeanEconomic Crises and Rethinking the Export-Led ModelDebt, Recession, and the End of Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)The Neoliberal EraThe Commodity Boom, China, and the Pink Tide of the 21st Century Overview of the Contemporary Economic Geography of LACCOVID-19: An Economic and Health Crisis Chapter 6. Latin America in Transition: From Population Boom to an Aging PopulationThe Rapid Growth Era (1950-2000)Entering the Slow Growth EraAging and the End of Population Growth? Latin America’s Population FutureThe Impact of COVID-19 on Latin America and the Caribbean’s Population. The End of Population Growth? Concluding Thoughts on Population and DevelopmentChapter 7. International Migration: Implications for DevelopmentWhat Causes International Migration? An Overview of International Migration from Latin America and the CaribbeanInternational Migration within Latin America and the Caribbean (Intraregional)Human Trafficking and Migration Migration and Development? The Trump Administration and Latin American Immigration The Biden Administration and Immigration: A Mixed MessageSummaryChapter 8. The Urban Worlds of Latin AmericaUrbanization in the 20th CenturyEnvironmental Problems of Latin American CitiesClimate Change and Latin American CitiesConclusionChapter 9. Development and Deforestation in the AmazonThe Value of ForestsOpening the Amazon: Integrating the Amazon into National Development, 1960s-1980sCattle, Soy, and the Global Integration of the Amazon 1990-2021Conserving the Amazon? Protected Areas and Indigenous LandsThe Future of Amazonia? Chapter 10. MexicoThe Physical Geography of Mexico The Ethnic Diversity of Mexico Demographic TrendsMexico in the Global EconomyDeforestation, Land Use Change, and Protected Areas Chapter 11. Central America and the CaribbeanThe Physical Geography of Central America and the CaribbeanThe Ethnic Diversity of Central America and the CaribbeanDemographic Trends of Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean in the Global EconomyDeforestation, Land Use Change, and Protected Areas Chapter 12. The AndesThe Physical Geography of the Andean RepublicsThe Ethnic Diversity of the AndesDemographic Trends of the AndesThe Andes in the Global EconomyDeforestation, Land Use Change, and Protected Areas Chapter 13. The Southern ConeThe Physical Geography of the Southern ConeThe Ethnic Diversity of the Southern ConeDemographic Trends in the Southern Cone The Southern Cone in the Global EconomyDeforestation, Land Use Change, and Protected AreasChapter 14. Brazil The Physical Geography of Brazil The Ethnic Diversity of BrazilDemographic Trends in Brazil Brazil in the Global EconomyBibliographyGlossaryAbout the AuthorIndex

Brad Jokisch proves to be the ideal guide through the landscapes of Latin America and the social and ecological processes that shape them. With rich and specific examples of how places are shaped and re-shaped by flows of people, resources, and ideas, Dr. Jokisch offers an ideal introduction to the many and diverse worlds that comprise this fascinating region.