From the earliest times people have told stories of gods and goddesses, of mythical creatures and fabulous places in an effort to explain the mysteries of everyday life. This encyclopedia explores the rich diversity of mythological themes within North, Central and South America. An accessible A-to-Z structure provides concise, factual entries on more than 600 key characters that allows the reader to discover who is who in American mythology. Why is the Thunderbird so feared? Which incident turned Coyote into such a mischief-maker? Who was the weeping warrior? Why did the Aztecs sacrifice so many people? What is the mystery surrounding El Dorado? Find the answers to these and many more questions in this visual guide to the mythology of the Americas. Aimed at readers of all ages, this book is a rich source of information for interpreting and understanding the myths and religions of the indigenous peoples of the American continent.