Beschreibung:
<jats:p><jats:bold>A<jats:sc>bstract</jats:sc>. </jats:bold> Highlander settlement of the <jats:italic>Amazon and Orinoco</jats:italic> lowlands east of the <jats:italic>Andes</jats:italic> has increased to the point where every nation from Venezuela to Bolivia presently has active <jats:italic>colonization</jats:italic> programs and policies. Colonization alleviates social and economic stresses in the highlands and western coastal cities and contributes to a fuller utilization of national <jats:italic>sources.</jats:italic> Spontaneous colonization has proven more successful than government‐directed efforts. Shortages of adequate <jats:italic>roads</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>public services</jats:italic> and difficulties in obtaining clear land titles and sufficient <jats:italic>credit</jats:italic> seriously hinder the pioneers. To succeed, individual colonists must also learn new lowland <jats:italic>farming techniques</jats:italic> and products, develop an ability to cooperate with fellow settlers, and overcome discouragement brought on by isolation and loneliness. In spite of these obstacles, the colonization effort serves both the personal and nationalistic interests of those involved and can be expected to continue.</jats:p>