Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 In 1804, a visitor from abroad came to visit President Thomas Jefferson. He was a naturalist, an astronomer, a geographer, a geologist, a botanist, and an authority on Indian antiquities. He was at home in any subject. #2 Humboldt's trip to see Jefferson was one of the great scientific journeys of all time. His travels were through Spanish America, but his accomplishments were largely overshadowed by the popular impact of the Lewis and Clark expedition. #3 Humboldt and Bonpland's expedition was unprecedented, and they were free to explore any or all of Spain's largely unexplored American colonies. They landed in Venezuela in July 1799, and their excitement was enormous. #4 The explorers spent three months exploring and mapping the coastal plain, collecting sixteen hundred plants. They witnessed a total eclipse, an earthquake, and a spectacular meteor shower. They traced the Orinoco to its source, something no one had done before.