698 



The National Geographic Magazine 



Bogota is Situated at the Foot of the Mountains on a High Plateau 



fully studying methods of counterbal- 

 ancing these adverse conditions to his 

 progress in Latin America and of adapt- 

 ing himself thereto, undertakes an inde- 

 pendent line of action, and ultimately 

 fails in his purpose. 



A second great factor is corollary to 

 the first, and it is one of which, in our 

 seeming abundance of knowledge and 

 self-confidence, we are lamentably igno- 

 rant. Frankly termed, it should be called 

 the "holier than thou" attitude too com- 

 monly and persistently assumed by North 

 American statesmen, newspapers, writers, 

 travelers, and business agents when dis- 

 cussing or dealing with Latin America. 

 In other words, the people of the United 

 States have too often and too persistently 

 and characteristically "patronised" the 

 peoples, customs, institutions, achieve- 

 ments, and governments of their sister 

 American nations. Per contra, we should 

 give Latin America more credit for its 

 actual and praiseworthy progress in de- 



veloping stable national and municipal 

 government, in promoting both high 

 class and general education, in making its 

 own excellent literature, historical and 

 romantic, in advancing scientific investi- 

 gation and invention, in solving grave 

 social and economic problems, and com- 

 prehensively striving under difficult con- 

 ditions to reach a higher standard of 

 civilization. 



OUR IGNORANCE OF LATIN AMERICA 



How few North Americans realize that 

 Latin- American history during the last 

 four centuries is replete with incident and 

 event, names and results, that compare 

 creditably with those of the United States, 

 Europe, and Asia ! How few know the 

 names of the great heroes, statesmen, 

 writers, and scholars who have figured 

 prominently in evolving the Latin Amer- 

 ica of today! How few are aware that 

 the principal countries and capitals of 

 Latin America have groups of eminent 



