Should the Darien Gap be opened up?
Poll: Should the Darien Gap be opened up?
Total Members Polled: 44
Discussion
As you know, you could, if you wished, drive the entire way from Alaska to Patagonia along the Pan-American Highway, one of the longest continuous roads in the world. It would take you along the Pacific coasts of Alaska, Canada and the USA, down through Mexico, through Central America, then to South America, the desert Pacific coast of Peru, then Chile, ending somewhere near Tierra del Fuego.
But actually you can't, because the Highway is broken in only one part - the Darien Gap. This is the mountainous jungle region between Panama and Colombia. It is one of the only true wilderness regions left in the world. It has never been fully explored and no roads cross it (you would get a ferry from Panama to Colombia to continue your journey along the Highway). It is home to outlaws, bandits, big cats, birds, snakes, swamps, and virgin, pristine, untouched, rainforest.
IIRC the only time it has been crossed by vehicles was by some tricked-out UK Landrovers a few years ago.
There is a movement to put a road through it to join up North America and South America and allow easy movement of goods and people between both regions.
Is this a good thing?
Before anyone asks, no, they don't sell jeans in the Darien Gap.
But actually you can't, because the Highway is broken in only one part - the Darien Gap. This is the mountainous jungle region between Panama and Colombia. It is one of the only true wilderness regions left in the world. It has never been fully explored and no roads cross it (you would get a ferry from Panama to Colombia to continue your journey along the Highway). It is home to outlaws, bandits, big cats, birds, snakes, swamps, and virgin, pristine, untouched, rainforest.
IIRC the only time it has been crossed by vehicles was by some tricked-out UK Landrovers a few years ago.
There is a movement to put a road through it to join up North America and South America and allow easy movement of goods and people between both regions.
Is this a good thing?
Before anyone asks, no, they don't sell jeans in the Darien Gap.
Edited by Ayahuasca on Thursday 15th April 13:41
at the location of this thread.Where roads go prosperity follows.
But that's got to be balanced with respect to conservation of unique habitats.
When you say "opened up" does one mean a thin strip with a fenced off road on and sufficient wildlife bridges - or a full on exploitation of the entire area turning it into a desert?
Could be either. One may not be too bad. The other could be disastrous.
So "it depends" would be my thoughts...
But that's got to be balanced with respect to conservation of unique habitats.
When you say "opened up" does one mean a thin strip with a fenced off road on and sufficient wildlife bridges - or a full on exploitation of the entire area turning it into a desert?
Could be either. One may not be too bad. The other could be disastrous.
So "it depends" would be my thoughts...
MonkeyMatt said:
Not sure a road would be much quicker! The route the ferries and container ships take seems to work! not sure it would be worth destroying more rainforest for!
And mods! put it in general gassing!
Yes! That would be a good idea! As would fixing your full stop key! Its a bit less shouty!And mods! put it in general gassing!
Build a road anywhere and someone else will build a side road legal or not then someone else will build more roads or houses, or just use it for access to the area so what started as a 100m wide strip through the area will get wider and wider especially if anyone finds anything even marginally valuable in the area.
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