Chocó Department
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chocó is a department of Colombia known for its large Afro-Colombian population. It is in the west of the country, and
is the only Colombian department to have coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It also has all of
Colombia's border withPanama. Its capital is Quibdó.
is the only Colombian department to have coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It also has all of
Colombia's border withPanama. Its capital is Quibdó.
Chocó has a diverse geography, unique ecosystems and unexploited natural resources. However, its population has one
of the lowest standards of living of all Departments in Colombia. In March 2007 Colombian media reported that some
50 children starved in less than three months, creating awareness of the grave condition Chocó inhabitants are facing.
Infrastructure problems were also revealed. For example, despite its status as the world's rainiest lowland, with close to
400 inches of annual precipitation,[2] Chocó's capital Quibdó was left without water.[3]
of the lowest standards of living of all Departments in Colombia. In March 2007 Colombian media reported that some
50 children starved in less than three months, creating awareness of the grave condition Chocó inhabitants are facing.
Infrastructure problems were also revealed. For example, despite its status as the world's rainiest lowland, with close to
400 inches of annual precipitation,[2] Chocó's capital Quibdó was left without water.[3]
[edit]Geography
The municipality of Lloró holds the Highest Average Annual Precipitation record measured at 523.6 inches (13,300 mm)
The Chocó Department makes up most of the ecoregion known as El Chocó that extends from Panama to Ecuador.
The Chocó Department makes up most of the ecoregion known as El Chocó that extends from Panama to Ecuador.
which makes it the wettest place in the world.[5] Three large rivers drain the Chocó Department, the Atrato, the San Juan
and the Baudó, and each has many tributaries. TheBaudó Mountains on the coast and the Cordillera Occidental are cut
by low valleys with an altitude less than 1,000 meters that form most of the territory. Most of the Chocó is thick rain forest.
Much of Colombia's internal consumption of wood come from the Chocó, with a small percentage harvested for export.
and the Baudó, and each has many tributaries. TheBaudó Mountains on the coast and the Cordillera Occidental are cut
by low valleys with an altitude less than 1,000 meters that form most of the territory. Most of the Chocó is thick rain forest.
Much of Colombia's internal consumption of wood come from the Chocó, with a small percentage harvested for export.
[edit]Demographics
Chocó is inhabited predominantly by descendants of African slaves brought by the Spanish Colonizers after conquering
the Americas. The second race/ethnic group are the Emberá, the remaining Native American people, with more than half
of their total population in Colombia living in Chocó, some 35,500. They practice hunting and artisan fishing and live
near rivers.[6]
the Americas. The second race/ethnic group are the Emberá, the remaining Native American people, with more than half
of their total population in Colombia living in Chocó, some 35,500. They practice hunting and artisan fishing and live
near rivers.[6]
The total population as of 2005 was less than half a million, with more than half living in the Quibdó valley. According
to a 2005 census[7] the ethnic composition of the department is:
to a 2005 census[7] the ethnic composition of the department is:
- Negros or Afro-Colombians (82.1%)
- Amerindians or Indigenes (12.7)
- Whites and Mestizos (5.2%)
[edit]Towns and municipalities
Quibdó is the largest city with a population of almost 100,000. Other important cities and towns include Istmina,
Condoto, Nóvita and El Carmen in the interior, Acandí on the Caribbean coast, and Solano on the Pacific coast.
Resorts include Capurgana on the Caribbean coast, and Jurado, Nuquí, and Bahía Solano on the west coast.
Condoto, Nóvita and El Carmen in the interior, Acandí on the Caribbean coast, and Solano on the Pacific coast.
Resorts include Capurgana on the Caribbean coast, and Jurado, Nuquí, and Bahía Solano on the west coast.
[edit]Municipalities
- Acandí
- Alto Baudó
- Atrato
- Bagadó
- Bahía Solano
- Bajo Baudó
- Belén de Bajirá
- Bojayá
- Carmen del Darién
- Cértegui
- Condoto
- El Cantón de San Pablo
- El Carmen de Atrato
- Istmina
- Juradó
- Litoral del San Juán
- Lloró
- Medio Atrato
- Medio Baudó
- Medio San Juán
- Nóvita
- Nuquí
- Quibdó
- Río Iró
- Río Quito
- Riosucio
- San José del Palmar
- Sipí
- Tadó
- Unguía
- Unión Panamericana
[edit]References
- (Spanish) todacolombia.com - Chocó Department
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