Latin-American Resources
Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC)
This is a comprehensive source for Latin American resources organized by country and subject and maintained by The University of Texas at Austin.
Library of Congress - Handbook of Latin American Studies (HLAS)
This is an excellent bibliographical source for scholarly research on Latin America. It is produced by the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress. It provides abstracts and bibliographic information for materials from and about Latin America. It has links in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Organization of American States (OAS)
With headquarters in Washington, DC, the OAS is the premier political forum for multilateral dialog and action in the Western Hemisphere. It contains documents on issues such as strengthening democracy, sustainable development, hemispheric free trade, human rights, drug trafficking and fighting terrorism in the Americas. The website offers links in four languages (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese).
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
One of the specialized regional organizations of the United Nations, it is a very important source of statistical data on Latin America and the Caribbean. Based in Santiago, Chile, the website offers links in Spanish and English.
Interamerican Development Bank (IADB)
The IADB is the oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution. It was established to help economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The website provides country reports and has links in Spanish and English.
Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR/MERCOSUL)
MERCOSUR/MERCOSUL is the most important regional economic initiative after NAFTA. The website contains a brief history of the regional integration process, legal documents and statistical information with links in Spanish and Portuguese.
Information Services for Latin America (ISLA)
ISLA is a non-profit organization offering alternative views on Latin America. It produces a monthly publication with a comprehensive overview of U.S. and British media coverage on Latin America.
Political Databases of the Americas (PDBA)
The PDBA is joint venture between the Center of Latin American Studies of the University of Georgetown and the Organization of American States (see above). It provides reference materials, primary documents, and statistical data for countries in the Western Hemisphere. Its aim is to encourage in-depth study of democracy in the Americas through the dissemination of comparative political data. The website offers links in four languages (English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese).
Latin American Studies Association (LASA)
LASA is the world's largest association of professionals from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors engaged in the study of Latin America. Students wishing to become members are welcome. This is a very important association to be involved with especially if you are planning to continue your studies in graduate school.
Latin American Open
Archives Portal (LAOAP)
"The LAOAP is a project that provides access to working documents, pre-prints,
research papers, statistical documents, and other difficult-to-access materials
that are usually published by research institutes, non-governmental
organizations, and peripheral agencies that are not controlled by commercial
publishers."
Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
"The WOLA
functions as a key resource and interlocutor for Latin American non-governmental
organizations (NGO's) working for human rights and social justice. WOLA plays a
leadership role in several advocacy coalitions and regularly organizes
workshops, conferences, roundtables, and briefings designed to stimulate policy
debate."
Witness for Peace
"Witness for Peace is a politically
independent organization whose mission is to support peace, justice and
sustainable economies in the Americas by changing US policies and corporate
practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the
Caribbean."
Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales (CLASCO)
Asociación Madres de Plaza de Mayo