Due to its role as a world's crossroads, the Isthmus of Panama has been one of the most mapped regions in the Americas. Hernan Arauz examines some of Panama's most significant maps and their interpretation and how the feats of the early conquistadors, buccaneers, surveyors and explorers influenced the development of cartography there. Speaker Biography: Hernan Arauz is a Kislak Fellow at the Library of Congress, where he is studying descriptive and interpretative carto-bibliography of the maps of Panama and Darien from the 16th Century to 1865. In his native Panama, he is well-known as the country's most experienced and respected naturalist guide. For captions, transcript, and more information visit www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5117.