6 Maracaibo's Pipeline of Wealth and Woes by Mike Ceaser
Once a pristine colonial trade center, Venezuela's second largest city faces environmental and social issues intricately linked to its vast petroleum resources.

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14 Eclectic Currents of a Historical Deed by Louis Werner
Parts of the United States will celebrate the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the nation and secured its control of a mighty watershed. 

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22 Common Ground for Farmers and Forests by Joyce Gregory Wyels 
Alarmed by signs of deforestation, groups in Costa Rica are developing programs that combine ecological awareness and sustainable agriculture. 

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30 Swirling Spaces of Stories and Spectators by K. Mitchell Snow
Argentine painter Sergio Camporeale merges the real and the fantastic, challenging viewers to create their own interpretation.

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38 Cacao Turns Over a New Leaf by Elizabeth Johnson
This small, versatile watercraft has shaped the history and identity of this nation, from the days of early exploration to modern-day adventurers.

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46 Composer of Spiritual Communions by Caleb Bach 
Argentine-born composer Osvaldo Golijov creates a movable, musical feast, spanning a range of styles and themes rooted in the human spirit.