A thoroughly illustrated regional work that is the combined effort of a number of well-known authors who have conducted a number of serious studies on the geography, ecology, history and ethnology of the Central American Isthmus. Christopher Columbus sailed along the Caribbean Coast of the Isthmus on his fourth and last voyage to the Indies, five centuries ago. Columbus’ last voyage is the most interesting with regard to the importance of the discoveries made by Europeans at the turn of the 16th century. For the first time, the coast line of a new continent was recognized, unsuspected by the navigators who came in search of a sea passage—the Doubtful Strait—that supposedly would open up a sea route to the west to the fabulous Spice Islands.
In some ways, this dream would not be realized until the Panama Canal was open four centuries later.
The authors also examine the major economic and social changes that have taken place in that time along the Caribbean coast of the Isthmus, where both students and tourists may still admire the wide variety of natural and cultural wealth in many unspoiled places, as first seen by the celebrated admiral of the oceans five hundred years ago.
