From the editor.

America has always existed as both a place and an idea. For more than five hundred years, America--and by that I mean the whole Western Hemisphere--has meant for millions a second chance, a new lease on life. In more recent years, America has meant a place of refuge and freedom. In this issue, Larry Luxner tells of the most recent new-world successes of Arab peoples, principally from Palestine and Syria, who have contributed so much to the development of Honduras.

Louis Werner examines the first renderings of the physical America, that is, the variety of maps drawn at King Philip's command so that he could "see" the new world that was conquered and constructed by the Spanish in the sixteenth century.

Other stories take us to the Hemisphere's geographic extremes--and describe the rugged souls who have journeyed and insisted on a life there. Alex Gillis acquaints us with Atlin, British Columbia, both its past glories and present pursuit of solitude and enchantment amid the wilderness. A...