Vol XII, No. 1 - Summer 2004
Contents |
In Focus |
Anniversary |
Awards |
Profile
C.W. "Bud" Minkel is professor of geography at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He has written and contributed to hundreds of publications, and is considered the dean of Latin Americanist geography.
Before the "art" in cARTography can be executed, information must be gathered. As in the art itself, the acquisition of source material has changed radically. Prior to the computer revolution and development of the Internet, Mapping Specialists relied on print media and expert advice to ensure accuracy of the map. To be sure, the Internet has enhanced access to data and detail, though some information appears not to have been edited thoroughly. MSL does consider as reliable information that is posted on official government sites and reputable research organizations such as encyclopedia providers. However, we still rely considerably on specialists in geography, history, and other academic disciplines to guide us to truth and accuracy. One such expert is C.W. "Bud" Minkel, professor of geography at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Bud's career spans many years from his undergraduate days at Colorado State College to his doctorate at Syracuse University under the tutelage of the eminent Latin Americanist, Preston E. James. Here, he began a career as a specialist in the geography of Latin America. To Bud, Latin America is all the land area in the Western Hemisphere south of the U.S.
Over the years, Bud has made 125 trips to the region. He has advised governments in the region on national and regional planning and has been a principal in the Pan American Institute of Geography and History, of which he was president. A most recent activity was as the principal U.S. member of the team that helped to settle the Peru/Ecuador boundary dispute, in 1998.
Bud maintains that Latin American countries have made impressive strides in infrastructure development, such as road construction and water/sewerage systems, in recent years. He notes that the countries also have become more democratic and responsive to citizens' needs. A major accomplishment is that many countries have become less dependent on a single export, such as coffee, and therefore diversified their respective economies. Latin America does have persistent problems, however. These include a very high birth rate and massive rural to urban migration. These problems cause high unemployment or underemployment and do not diminish the gap between the very poor and the wealthy.
Generally, the U.S. populace is reasonably informed concerning Latin America, its characteristics and problems, according to Bud. But, he is concerned that there is a woeful lack of real understanding of the region. Few Americans can identify the unique features of the individual countries, their leading export, historical background, or political agenda. An example would be to relate how Brazil differs from the other counties - its size, population, language, or history.
After so many trips to Latin America, Bud still enjoys returning to Guatemala City, Guatemala; Quito, Ecuador; Santiago, Chile; and Lima and Piura, both in Peru. This relates to the many personal and professional friends he has made there during his career.
And, if you choose to travel to Latin America, Bud offers this advice:
- don't drink the water,
- learn as much Spanish or other local language as possible,
- ask questions,
- try to become friends with at least a few local people, and
- don't be obnoxious.
Bud has helped MSL acquire Spanish language sources and advised us on the proper display of information that deals with Latin America. For this we are very thankful. Because of this guidance, we are able to provide the most accurate and up-to-date maps to you, our clients.
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