This learning aid is intended to help Americans become more effective in understanding and communicating with Latin Americans. The book consists of the following: (1) a map of Latin America, with area and population statistics for the various countries; (2) a brief description of the land, the people, the economy, diet, religion, government, education, and customs and courtesies; and (3) descriptions, in terms of realistic situations involving American visitors to Latin America, of certain attitudes, values and assumptions (here called themes) important to Latin American culture - time and work, individualism, machismo, religion, Latin American family, etiquette and personalism. A self-test is given after each theme. An appendix provides "culturgrams" (brief descriptions of the land, the nation, the people, lifestyle and customs and courtesies) for Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. A list of survival phrases in Spanish and Portuguese, an explanation of common signs, sizes and weights and measures, and a brief bibliography are also given in the appendix. (RM)