South American Handbook
Encyclopedia
The South American Handbook is a travel guide to South America
, published in the United Kingdom by Footprint Books
. It is currently in its 87th edition, and is the longest running travel guide in the English language. In 2010 it was chosen as the Best South American Handbook by Sounds and Colours
Two editions later the book was 'privatised' and in 1924 it became the South American Handbook, published by Trade and Travel Publications Ltd, a company incorporated in December 1922. At the time, travel was by sea and the handbook gave all the details needed for the long voyage from Europe, including a full account of the journey from Liverpool up the Amazon
to Manaus
, some 5,898 miles without changing cabin. It also imparted such invaluable etiquette advice as to 'pack a good saddle and a set of starched collars'.
The handbook continued to be published annually and received updates from readers, including figures such as Paul Theroux
and the novelist Graham Greene
, who addressed his updates to 'The publishers of the best travel guide in the world, Bath, England'.
Over the years the handbook expanded its coverage to include all the countries of South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. It continued to include data for businessmen, but by the 1970s was increasingly aimed at leisure travellers, particularly backpackers following the Gringo Trail
. In 1989 the 65th edition was almost 1400 pages long.
In 1990 the handbook was split. The Mexico & Central America Handbook and the Caribbean Islands Handbook were published as separate volumes, and from then on the South American Handbook covered only South America.
Trade and Travel Publications changed its name to Footprint Handbooks Ltd in August 1996.
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, published in the United Kingdom by Footprint Books
Footprint Books
Footprint Travel Guides is the imprint of Footprint Handbooks Ltd, a publisher of guidebooks based in Bath in the United Kingdom. Particularly noted for their coverage of Latin America, their South American Handbook, first published in 1924, is in its 87th edition. The company now publish more than...
. It is currently in its 87th edition, and is the longest running travel guide in the English language. In 2010 it was chosen as the Best South American Handbook by Sounds and Colours
History
The handbook was first published in 1921 as the Anglo-South American Handbook. It was founded and compiled by William Koebel (1872-1923), a prolific author who had a particular interest in promoting trade with South America. It was compiled as a guide to South America, as well as Mexico and Cuba, for the business traveller, and published by the Federation of British Industry.Two editions later the book was 'privatised' and in 1924 it became the South American Handbook, published by Trade and Travel Publications Ltd, a company incorporated in December 1922. At the time, travel was by sea and the handbook gave all the details needed for the long voyage from Europe, including a full account of the journey from Liverpool up the Amazon
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
to Manaus
Manaus
Manaus is a city in Brazil, the capital of the state of Amazonas. It is situated at the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers. It is the most populous city of Amazonas, according to the statistics of Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and is a popular ecotourist destination....
, some 5,898 miles without changing cabin. It also imparted such invaluable etiquette advice as to 'pack a good saddle and a set of starched collars'.
The handbook continued to be published annually and received updates from readers, including figures such as Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux
Paul Edward Theroux is an American travel writer and novelist, whose best known work of travel writing is perhaps The Great Railway Bazaar . He has also published numerous works of fiction, some of which were made into feature films. He was awarded the 1981 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his...
and the novelist Graham Greene
Graham Greene
Henry Graham Greene, OM, CH was an English author, playwright and literary critic. His works explore the ambivalent moral and political issues of the modern world...
, who addressed his updates to 'The publishers of the best travel guide in the world, Bath, England'.
Over the years the handbook expanded its coverage to include all the countries of South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. It continued to include data for businessmen, but by the 1970s was increasingly aimed at leisure travellers, particularly backpackers following the Gringo Trail
Gringo Trail
The Gringo Trail refers to a string of the most frequently visited places, by "Gringos", US-Americans and other foreigners in Latin America.Highlights of the Gringo Trail:* Antigua, Guatemala* Bay Islands, Honduras* Bocas Del Toro, Panama...
. In 1989 the 65th edition was almost 1400 pages long.
In 1990 the handbook was split. The Mexico & Central America Handbook and the Caribbean Islands Handbook were published as separate volumes, and from then on the South American Handbook covered only South America.
Trade and Travel Publications changed its name to Footprint Handbooks Ltd in August 1996.