The Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC), maintained by the University of Texas at Austin, began in 1992. In early 1999, the site recorded about 1.5 million hits per month, an incredible number for an educationally maintained site. The directory provides access to 45 subjects and over 30 countries with links to over 5,000 individual information resources.
The straightforward organization of topics, such as countries, economy, education, government, recreation, society & culture, is highlighted with current politically sensitive topics such as sustainable development. Comprehensive listings of libraries, archives, museums, publishers and bookdealers make this a researcher’s and librarian’s dream resource site!
A reference section with compilations of dictionaries, encyclopedias and scholarly research resources adds to the usefulness of the site. Maps and statistical information are plentiful and timely.
Among the more recent updates to this incredibly comprehensive Web site are subheadings addressing human rights,literature, and religion/theology. The religion and theology section has a subheading addressing Jewish heritage throughout Latin America ‐ certainly not a religion or culture associated with Latin American areas.
What international site would be complete without reference to food and travel? The LANIC compendium provides recipes by country, with many searchable archive sites available for those wishing to browse and search at leisure. While this author found quite a number of dead links several months ago, this is no longer the case. All links surveyed offered transcendence to a very different and intriguing culture. Travel incentives were abundant. Offerings from Web sites, such as “Funky Fish Ecuador Guide” and “Rainforest Expeditions,” required exploration.
For a novice Latin American researcher, this site would be invaluable. For the seasoned Latin American traveler or scholar, the LANIC site is indispensable. Do not expect any fancy graphics or animated GIFs. The site is straightforward, well‐organized, accessible, and easily searchable. While it is primarily a listing of Web sites, LANIC offers everything one might need to know about Latin America and Latin American culture all at one site.
