Spurred by the dramatic landscape transformation associated with European colonization of the Americas, this original and extensively illustrated work creates a prototype theory to explain relationships between colonialism and landscape. Andrew Sluyter adeptly weaves historical sources and empirical research into a comprehensive geographical theory and applies it to a case study of the Veracruz lowlands along the Gulf Coast of Mexico. He then explores broader considerations of environmental conservation, development, and global policy challenges. This book will be of significance to geographers and others interested in development and environmental studies.

"An important book that addresses some of the key debates in geography today. Opens a rich and diversified research agenda that will most certainly generate fertile partnerships between physical and human geographers." - Annals of the Association of American Geographers

"Challenging and valuable. . . . I highly recommend this book to geographers of Latin American landscape change and especially to nongeographers interested in colonialism and landscape." - Geographical Review