Imagining Central America

A concise review of the major events, social movements, politics, and economics of the seven countries that comprise Central America.

Given the strategic location of Central America, its importance to US foreign policy, and the migration from the region to other parts of the world, this succinct summary of the countries of Central America is an essential resource for those working in, studying, writing about, or traveling to the region. Promoting increased understanding of the region’s governance, economics, and structures of power, Imagining Central America highlights the many ways that Central American countries are connected to the United States through resettling, economic investment, culture flows, and foreign policy.

Each of the seven chapters focuses on a different country within Central America—Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama—and includes a map, regional introduction, timeline, and history of each country from the pre-Columbian era to the present day. Each chapter also provides a substantial recommended reading list of novels and academic sources for readers who want to learn more about the key events and themes within individual countries. A QR code within each chapter links to online resources that walk readers through each country in full color.
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Serena Cosgrove, PhD, is an Associate Professor in International Studies and director of the Latin American & Latinx Studies program at Seattle University. She also serves as the faculty coordinator of Seattle University’s Central America Initiative.

Isabeau J. Belisle Dempsey is half-Belizean and graduated from Seattle University in 2019 with a double major in International Studies and Spanish.