Why No Car Can Cross This Area? (Death Valley)
The Darien Gap is a 100-mile stretch of dangerous wilderness between Colombia and Panama. It’s known as one of the deadliest places on Earth. This area is so risky that no roads or railways connect North and South America here.
Despite the danger, thousands of people from countries like Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela cross the Darien Gap each year, hoping to reach Central or North America for a better life. In 2022, about 250,000 people tried to pass through the Gap on their way to Mexico and the United States. Sadly, many of them didn’t survive.
But what makes the Darien Gap so dangerous? And why, with all our money and technology, has no one built a road or railway here? Let’s find out.
1. Extreme Weather
The Darien Gap is very hot and humid because it’s close to the equator. It also rains almost every day of the year, leading to floods and landslides. This constant rain makes building anything here very difficult. Concrete and asphalt need dry weather to set properly, and that’s impossible in this region.
2. Deadly Wildlife
The Darien Gap is filled with dangerous animals. Poisonous snakes, spiders, and mosquitoes that carry diseases like malaria and dengue are common. There are no hospitals or shelters in this area, so if you’re bitten or injured, survival is unlikely. Many people who cross this region die from disease, animal bites, or drowning in rivers.
3. Political and Security Reasons
While it’s technically possible to build a road through the Darien Gap, some countries, like the United States and Panama, don’t want it. Panama used to be part of Colombia, but because of the Gap, Colombia had a hard time controlling it. Eventually, Panama gained independence with support from the U.S., which was interested in controlling the Panama Canal.
The canal is a crucial route for global trade, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Around 6% of the world’s sea trade passes through it. The U.S. and other countries rely on it heavily.
If a road was built through the Darien Gap, drug smugglers from Colombia could use it to transport drugs more easily to Panama and the United States. This is why the U.S. opposes any development in the area.
4. Stopping Illegal Migration
Many South American countries struggle with poverty, corruption, and unstable governments. People from these nations often dream of a better life in North America, especially the United States. Since legal immigration is becoming more difficult, many attempt to cross the Darien Gap in hopes of reaching the U.S. through Mexico.
The journey through the Gap is dangerous, filled with disease, dangerous animals, floods, and even bandits. Still, the number of people risking their lives to cross it grows every year. Those who survive are often left with deep physical and emotional scars.
Conclusion
The Darien Gap remains one of the last wild and dangerous places on Earth. While building a road through it is possible, the political and safety issues make it unlikely. The region will continue to be a dangerous obstacle for those seeking a better life in North America.
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