 Head of Province: La Palma
Population: 40,284inhabitants (2000 census) of which 4,200 in La Palma (2004)
Population: 8,246 inhabitants (2000 census) in the Embera Territory
Surface:
Coastal Area: Pacific Ocean
Major Islands: None.
The Darien Province is an unspoiled region for adventourous tourists. It extends an area of 16,000 km 2 covered by rivers, thick tropical vegetation (jungle), high peaks and paradisiacal beaches. This area is also known as the Tapon del Darien (The Darien Plug) because it is here where the Interamerican road is interrupted. This road crosses the whole of the Americas from Alaska down to Argentina/Chile.
Darien is a wild region located in the eastern extreme of the country bordering with Colombia on the East, Kuna Yala (San Blas) in the North, the Pacific Ocean on the South and the Province of Panama in the Northwest.
Present Days
 The population of Darien is mainly of black groups, descendants of black fugitive slaves brought to the Isthmus during colonial times. They settled mainly in the towns of Yaviza, La Palma, El Real, Chepigana, Jaqu and Puerto Obaldia.
Additionally the province is also inhabited by natives (indians) of the Wounaan and Embera tribes that migrated from Choc in Colombia and live still with the same customs they had thousand of years ago inside the Darien National Province. These tribes are now grouped in two territories within the Darien province called the Embera Wounaan National Park.
There are no major differences between the Embera and the Wounaan except for their language, their customs are the same. They live in the forest on the shores of the Sambu, Jaque, Chico, Turquesa, Membrillo, Tuira, Yape and Tucuti rivers. They engage mainly in suistainable agriculture, hunting, fishing and raising fowl. They are excellent wood carvers and basket weavers. These are of excellent quality and are available for sale.
You can find beautiful souvenirs made by the Embera Wounaan. Not only their baskets but also the magnificent carvings in wood and in "Tagua" seeds (a hard nut from the Tagua tree). These carvings represent iguanas, monkeys, tigers, birds and all sort of animals found in their domain. Another great skill of the Embera Wounaan is the construction of the best canoes in Panama known as "piraguas". And you can believe that because even the Panama Canal Commission (currently the Autoridad Interoceanica) uses these canoes to transport their expert to hard to reach areas.
 The largest rivers in the province of Darien are the Tuira and Chucunaque rivers. Darien is the last frontier for many endangered species and is considered one of the most complete tropical ecosystems in all of the American continent.
 Darien National Park. Occupies most of the southern part of the province. It covers 579,000 hectares with the most important and varied ecosystems in the region.
It was declared a World Heritage for Humanity by the UNESCO in 1953. It offers the possibility to observe different birds among which the Harpy Eagle , the jaguar, ocelot, howling monkeys, caymans and the American crocodile. As you walk into the thick vegation you can sight troops of monkeys advancing throught the tree tops. If you are lucky you can also spot the golden head Quetzal. This species was recently discovered in the vicinity of Pirre Hill. Inside this park you find the Cerro Takarkuna whose peak reaches 1,875 mts above sea level. Obviously the best season to visit the Takarkuna is after the rainy season, during the month of January.
The Darien National Park is managed by the National Authority for the Environment (ANAM in Spanish) and it is necessary to request authorization to visit the reserve. The ANAM has built three lodging stations on the Tucuti river, Cerro Pirre and Cruce de Mono. These are cabins with dormitories and beds and are ideal for camping. You must however carry all your articles or primary need!. |
