Covering the period from the 17th century, when trade between the United States and Latin America began, to the present, this historical dictionary provides information on the people, organizations, institutions, and events associated with the United States presence in Latin America, including sea captains and merchants, explorers, filibusters and adventures, military officers, missionaries, government officials, businessmen, anthropologists and scientists, diplomats, and writers. Entries on organizations include business firms, missions, colleges, and naval and military bases. The volume includes some 1200 entries, arranged alphabetically. Additional features include a short chronology and an appendix listing chiefs of United States diplomatic missions. Access to the material is provided by an appendix listing of subjects by occupation and a full subject index. Sources of additional information are given both at the end of entries and in a bibliographical essay.