No. 116/2024

chapter in this work, is viewed particularly positively here, as are his analysis of the island’s economy largely being based on sugar production, and his commitment to sustainable agriculture. But here, too, there are critical voices pointing out the colonial context in which Humboldt carried out his expedition. His connection to the Spanish crown is emphasised as Humboldt placed his mining expertise at the disposal of the colonial power. That is why it is occasionally questioned whether Humboldt was sufficiently aware of how the information he circulated was being used. When assessing his accomplishments, the view is sometimes also expressed that not enough attention was paid to local scientific circles and other local informants, such as his Indigenous guides. It was by no means in accord with Humboldt’s Enlightenment ideals to work in the context of a colonial government – a system that he fundamentally rejected as can be seen in his personal notes: every colonial government was “a government of mistrust” that did not consider the welfare of the colonies but was geared towards the interests of the empire. REGIONAL PERCEPTION His critical commentaries on the colonial system and the impact on society, however, should on no account be understood as legitimising the independence movement. Humboldt is the first German-Mexican in history. He is the most symbolic and extraordinary ambassador the two nations can have. Humboldt es el primer alemán-mexicano de la historia. Es el embajador más emblemático y extraordinario que podemos tener entre las dos naciones. ascribed a central role in preparing the country for independence. Through this work, Humboldt – described in the study as “the first German-Mexican in history” – also encouraged the population to engage with its history, society and culture. It is, however, also noted that Humboldt’s information about the mineral resources in New Spain had contributed to post-colonial exploitation of these local resources. Critical voices even attest to his role as a propagandist for European investments. Moreover, in Mexico, there is criticism to this day of the fact that geographical and statistical knowledge was passed to the United States government during his visit to Washington and Philadelphia in spring 1804. In Cuba, too, Humboldt’s regional study, “Political Essay on the Island Cuba”, is attributed great importance. Due to his intensive work on the geographical, statistical and economic situation of the country, he is still often referred to as the “second discoverer” of Cuba. His profound aversion to slavery, to which Humboldt devotes an entire Street sign in Ingapirca, Ecuador THE STUDY “ The Perception of Humboldt in Latin America” is a product of the research programme “Kultur und Außenpolitik” run by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa). The quotations highlighted in this article are taken from the interviews on which it is based and were conducted in Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador und Chile. More on the study : https:// culturalrelations.ifa.de/en/research/ results/percepcion-de-humboldt-en- iberoamerica/ Photos: Imago/ Ipon, Peregrine/Alamy, Marion Kaplan/Alamy, private FOCUS HUMBOLDT KOSMOS 116/2024 20