From the editor.

PositionEditorial

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Americas recently made an extensive journey through Guatemala and discovered a country of endless surprises, a land where the spirit of the Maya is still very present, not only in the great ruins of yesteryear, but also in the living presence of today's indigenous peoples. We visited the Mayan cities of Quirigua and Tikal, as well as the Baroque and ladina Antigua, all declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We were delighted by the multicolored scenery and enchanted by the forest home of the resplendent quetzal in Alta and Baja Verapaz. It wasn't long before we realized that this would certainly not be our last piece on Guatemala.

This issue also took us to South America where we had the privilege of getting an up-close view of rural life in Chile and a taste of old Europe in "the Switzerland of Brazil." We were able to appreciate how the vital historic roots of the Chilean farmer have evolved, turning Chile into one of the most competitive countries worldwide in agricultural products and high-quality wine. The Switzerland in question is Campos do Jordao, a paradise where Portuguese explorers arrived three centuries ago in search of gold. They settled in this ideal place of green hills and cool weather, dotted today with Swiss chalets and old world culture.

In the midst of this historical, agricultural, and cultural wealth, we were also able to see the dramatic reality of malnutrition reported on by international organization in the hemisphere. Here, Americas emphasizes some of the programs and strategic...

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