Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

The Darien Gap

If you've ever dreamed of driving a car the length of the American continent from Alaska to Chile, you're out of luck. Near the border Panama-Colombia border, the Pan-American Highway suddenly ends at the Darien Gap, one of the most remote and inaccessible areas in the Western Hemisphere. The Gap is an untamed wilderness of jungle and swampland with no road infrastructure whatsoever, and it's officially off-limits to foreign travelers. The Gap also features the crocodile and snake infested Great Atrato Swamp, one of the last uncharted regions on the planet. Oh, and if you're going, watch out for Colombian rebel groups, who have been known to kidnap would-be adventurers and hold them for ransom. Happy travels!