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Bolaño, Roberto

(Encyclopedia)Bolaño, Roberto bōlänˈyō [key], 1953–2003, Chilean novelist widely regarded as the most influential Spanish-language writer of his generation. He led a peripatetic life, and his fictional prota...

Leguía, Augusto Bernardino

(Encyclopedia)Leguía, Augusto Bernardino ougo͞osˈtō bārnärdēˈnō lāgēˈä [key], 1863–1932, president of Peru (1908–12, 1919–30). In his second administration Leguía promulgated a new constitution ...

Balmaceda, José

(Encyclopedia)Balmaceda, José hōsāˈ bälmäsāˈᵺä [key], 1840–91, president of Chile (1886–91). A leader of a liberal, anticlerical group, he was sent as minister (1878) to Argentina, where he successfu...

Pando, José Manuel

(Encyclopedia)Pando, José Manuel hōsāˈ mänwĕlˈ pänˈdō [key], 1848?–1917, Bolivian statesman, president of Bolivia (1899–1904). He earned military fame in the War of the Pacific, and in 1898 he joined ...

Oña, Pedro de

(Encyclopedia)Oña, Pedro de pāˈᵺrō ᵺā ōˈnyä [key], 1570?–1643, Chilean poet. Having been born in Latin America, he is considered Chile's first national poet. His poetry is both epic and religious. Ins...

Caupolicán

(Encyclopedia)Caupolicán kouˌpōlĭkänˈ [key], d. 1558, leader of the Araucanians who fiercely resisted the Spanish conquest of Chile. He attempted to carry on the reconquest begun by Lautaro and won a victory ...

spoonbill

(Encyclopedia)spoonbill, common name for a large wading bird related to the ibis. It has a long bill with a tip like a flattened spoon, with which it captures small aquatic animals. The roseate spoonbill, Ajaia aja...

Vicuña Mackenna, Benjamin

(Encyclopedia)Vicuña Mackenna, Benjamin bānhämēnˈ vēko͞oˈnyä mäkāˈnä [key], 1831–86, Chilean historian and journalist. A vigorous opponent of the conservative government of Manuel Montt, he was sente...

Pinochet Ugarte, Augusto

(Encyclopedia)Pinochet Ugarte, Augusto ougo͞osˈtō pēnōchāˈ o͞ogärˈtā [key], 1915–2006, president and dictator of Chile (1973–90). An army general who served as chief of staff (1972–73) and commande...

Latin America

(Encyclopedia)Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. The 20 republics are Arge...