A first-of-its-kind reference resource traces the interactions among four Atlantic-facing continents--Europe, Africa, and the Americas (including the Caribbean)--between 1400 and 1900.

* Provides readers with authoritative information on the people, places, events, and commodities at the heart of Atlantic history

* Demonstrates the interconnections among people, places, and events from different regions, overcoming the tendency to see history as limited by national boundaries

* Offers balanced coverage of the field of Atlantic history, with entries addressing a variety of geographies and periods to provide a panoramic view

* Portrays familiar historical topics in a new light by emphasizing their international context