THE SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR
NORTH PEAK OF MT. HUASCARÁN, 21,812 FT.
THIS PEAK, ASCENDED BY MISS PECK, SEPTEMBER 2, 1908, IS 1,500
FEET HIGHER THAN MT. McKINLEY.
INTRODUCTION
I congratulate Miss Annie S. Peck, the publisher of thisbook, and those who consult or read it, upon the preparationof a work of this character. Interest in Latin America is nowso rapidly growing throughout all the world, and especiallyin the United States, that a descriptive guide-book of this kindregarding the regions commonly visited by tourists has becomean actual need; such a work by Miss Peck is a practicaland timely contribution to the literature of the day. Thereare few persons better qualified to write a book of this character.The remarkable explorations which Miss Peck has undertakenin the most difficult sections of Latin America, andthe traveling she has done in all parts of it, not only haveprovided her with a vast fund of useful information about thecountries of South America but give especial authority towhat she writes. Her book contains in compact form anamount of definite information concerning the countries considered,which should place it in the forefront of works ofthis character.
While, of course, it is impossible for the Pan AmericanUnion, as an official organization, and myself, as its officialhead, to endorse in any way a particular book or accept responsibilityfor the statements and views it contains, it givesme real pleasure, from a personal standpoint, to express thehope that this work of Miss Peck will have a wide circulationand prove of decided help in promoting travel to and throughthe Latin American countries.
The Pan American Union, which, as readers of this bookprobably know, is the office of all the American republics—theUnited States and its twenty sister Latin American countries—organizedand maintained by them for the purpose ofdeveloping commerce, friendship, better acquaintance, andpeace among them all, is doing everything possible and legitimateto persuade the traveling public of the United Statesand Europe to visit the Latin American countries and becomefamiliar with their progress and development. There is noviinfluence in the world that helps