Want to drive from the northernmost point in North America to the southernmost tip of South America? Here's your toughest miles..... The Darien Gap.
For decades, efforts have been made to remedy this missing link in the Pan-American highway. Planning efforts began in 1971 with the help of U.S. funding, but was halted in 1974 after complaints by environmentalists. Another effort to build the road began in 1992, but by 1994 a United Nations agency revealed that it would cause extensive environmental damage. There is evidence in favor of the argument that the Darién Gap has prevented the spread of diseased cattle into Central and North America, which have not seen foot and mouth disease since 1954, and at least since the 1970s this has been a substantial factor in preventing a road link through Darién Gap. Embera-Wounaan and Kuna Indians have also expressed concern that the road would bring about the potential erosion of their cultures.
A United States Department of Defense Joint Operations Graphic chart published in 1995, as well as Expedia World Maps, show a road under construction linking Yaviza via a western route along the Pacific Colombian coast. It is unclear whether this road is a real feature or not.
As of April 2004 there was no apparent active construction of a road beyond Yaviza, although some improvements to the road as far as Yaviza appeared to be in progress."
From Wikipedia...
"The Pan-American Highway is a system of roads measuring about 26,000 km (16,000 miles) long that crosses through the entirety of North, Central, and South America, with the sole exception of the Darién Gap. Thus, the Darién Gap has historically been a sore spot for businesses looking to expand their markets. On the Colombian side, the highway terminates at about 27 km (17 miles) west of Barranquillita, at Lomas Aisiadas. On the Panamanian side, the road terminus is the town of Yaviza at. This marks a straight-line separation of about 100 km (62 statute miles). In between is marshland and forest.For decades, efforts have been made to remedy this missing link in the Pan-American highway. Planning efforts began in 1971 with the help of U.S. funding, but was halted in 1974 after complaints by environmentalists. Another effort to build the road began in 1992, but by 1994 a United Nations agency revealed that it would cause extensive environmental damage. There is evidence in favor of the argument that the Darién Gap has prevented the spread of diseased cattle into Central and North America, which have not seen foot and mouth disease since 1954, and at least since the 1970s this has been a substantial factor in preventing a road link through Darién Gap. Embera-Wounaan and Kuna Indians have also expressed concern that the road would bring about the potential erosion of their cultures.
A United States Department of Defense Joint Operations Graphic chart published in 1995, as well as Expedia World Maps, show a road under construction linking Yaviza via a western route along the Pacific Colombian coast. It is unclear whether this road is a real feature or not.
As of April 2004 there was no apparent active construction of a road beyond Yaviza, although some improvements to the road as far as Yaviza appeared to be in progress."
Long story about crossing the gap on motorcycles is Here.
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posted by Cyemm at 9:45 AM
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