Few places in the world are as mysterious as the Darien Gap. The 99 mile gap in the Pan American highway is dyanmic jungle of mystery. This large swath of forest, jungle and swamp land The Pan American Highway is about 30,000 miles long and runs from Cape Horn, Chile to Alaska save for 61 mile gap in the Darien jungle between Columbia and Panama. Developement of the highway is not politically supported at this time and it would come with steep environmental costs.
The Pan-American Highway ends in Yaviza, Panama and picks up in Turbo, Columbia; there is a straight line seperation of abotu 62 miles but between the two is a thick and tercherous maze of forest and marsland. Most of the Columbian Side of the Darien is compromised of a flat marshland created by the delta of the Atrato River. The panamanian side is mountainous rainforest with peaks reaching as high as 6,053 abd valleys as low as 200fr. The sharp contrast of the terrain makes crossing the Darien a difficult task. There was talk of development in the 70’s by the United States and the UK. However, by 1994 it was determined that the environmental risk was too high to execute excavation. There is also evidence that the Darien gap has served as a natural method to prevent the spread of foot an mouth disease. There has not been a case in central and north america since 1954.
The Darien is home to the Embera – Wounaan and Kuna Indians and was the former home to the Cueva people before their ectermination in the 16th century. There is an estimated population of 2 thousand people and travel is often by piragua – dug out canoes. The Kuna and Embera – Wounaan have expressed their concern since the 70’s that further road developement would bring destroy their simplistic way of life and deteriorate their culture. The indigenous people are hunters and gathers. However, when conditions permit corn, plantains, yucca and bananas are grown.
Darién National Park covers around 5,790 square kilometres of land and was established in 1980. It is the largest national park in Central America. Los Katios National Park lies just over the boarder in Columbia. The two adjoining parks together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for diversity of plant and animal life, more than 45o species of birds and over 500 species of fish have been identified in the area.
The ever enigmatic Darien Gap has taunted adventure and adrenaline enthusiasts for years. If your interest has been peaked and you want more information check out : The Darien Gap: Travels in the Rainforest of Panama.