Colombia: The Gateway to South America (Exploring Cultures of the World)

Markham, Lois

ISBN 10: 0761401407 ISBN 13: 9780761401407

Publisher: Benchmark Books, 1997

Synopsis

Introduces the geography, history, people, and culture of the country known as the Gateway to South America

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-7?These series entries begin with the indigenous peoples of these countries and continue though the arrival of immigrants and the creation of a culture from these diverse elements. There are chapters about history, family life, education, and recreation and arts. The writing is easy to follow although subject transitions are sometimes abrupt. In compressing the history, some details are lost. For example, after their arrival in the Caribbean in 1525, "Over the next years, the Spanish built several more towns" does not indicate how long this process took. "The different colonies [in Australia] did not get along very well. Soon they would have to figure out a way to work together" does not elaborate on the reasons. Various customs and holidays are introduced but often lack sufficient background information. The full-color photographs show the geographical variations described in the text, but there is only one map to show the boundaries, cities, mountains, and rivers. A two-page summary of "Country Facts" includes a world map with the country highlighted in context. Half-page text boxes of common Spanish and "Australian English" words and phrases are included. Marion Morrison's Colombia (Children's Press, 1990) provides a more detailed look at the country's geography, history, and politics but is for a slightly older audience. David Lowe's Australia (Raintree/Steck-Vaughn, 1996), while focusing less on cultural subjects, has more maps, photographs, and statistics in a larger format for a similar age group.?Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Benchmark Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0761401407
• ISBN 13: 9780761401407
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 64