Living Darien Gap

Building a highway across the Darien and Los Katios National Parks, Panama to Colombia, must take into consideration the two major indigenous groups, the Chocó and Kuna Indians and a number of smaller groups still living by traditional practices. The area was visited by Spanish conquistadors and the coast was explored by Christopher Columbus in 1502. In 1510, the town of Santa Maria la Antigua del Darién was established probably somewhere within the park boundaries.  There is a number of archaeological sites within the parks.

Two Indian tribes live in the park along the edges of the rivers: approximately 1,000 Chocó and 200 Kuna Indians. These stake holder groups, have maintained their subsistence agricultural systems through centuries of European contact.