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Chocó Department

February 13, 2023

Choco Department is a department of Western 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 contains all of Colombia's border with Panama. Its capital is Quibdó.

Department of Choco
Departamento del Chocó
Department
Flag
Coat of arms
Choco shown in red
Topography of the department
Coordinates: 5°42′N 76°40′W / 5.700°N 76.667°W / 5.700; -76.667Coordinates: 5°42′N 76°40′W / 5.700°N 76.667°W / 5.700; -76.667
Country Colombia
RegionPacific/Chocó Region
Established3 November 1947
CapitalQuibdó
Government
 • GovernorAriel Palacios Calderón (2020–2023)
Area
[1][2]
 • Total46,530 km2 (17,970 sq mi)
 • Rank9th
Population
 (2018)[3]
 • Total534,826
 • Rank23rd
 • Density11/km2 (30/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-05
ISO 3166 codeCO-CHO
Municipalities30
HDI (2019)0.696[4]
medium · 30th of 33

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. A major factor, cited by the government, is the rugged, montane rainforest environment, limiting any infrastructure improvements to the region. No major highway has been worked on since initial foundations were laid down in 1967. This roadway would have successfully linked Chocó to the nearest large city, Medellin, providing easier access to medical care, necessities, food, and more. Currently, depending on their location, residents of Chocó who are in a medical emergency, and who do have access to vehicular transport, face an unpredictable journey. This trip could take several hours to several days, depending on their starting point. This is provided that the existing small roads aren't flooded, shut down, or otherwise blocked; some remote indigenous communities have no other option than to canoe or boat by river to Quibdó, a trip which can last anywhere from two days to a week. For those needing more advanced services, Medellín is the closest major city to the capital Quibdó

Often, a family’s resources, along with the patient’s potential physical condition, will prevent medical help being sought out; in August 2016, Colombian media reported that some 50 children starved in less than three months, creating awareness of the grave condition Choco’s inhabitants are facing. That same year, an additional 10 adults and senior citizens, of the indigenous Chocó community, died due to preventable causes such as malaria and diarrhea.[5] There is no reliable electrical grid, sewage system or drinkable water (even in the capital Quibdó). In spite of the department’s ranking of “world's rainiest lowland” (the Choco–Darien moist forests ecoregion), with close to 400 inches (10,000 mm) of annual precipitation,[6] Quibdó lacks sanitary drinking water.[7]

Map of the Darién Gap and the break in the Pan-American Highway between Yaviza, Panama and Turbo, Colombia

History

The department was created in 1944.[7] Its low population, mountainous and inhospitable topography, and distance from Bogotá resulted in Chocó receiving little attention from the Colombian government. During the reign of military dictator Gustav Rojas Pinilla, his administration proposed to eliminate Chocó and divide its territory between the departments of Antioch and Valley of Cauca. But the 1957 coup d'état of General Gabriel Paris Gordillo overthrew Pinilla's government and ended such plans.

Geography

 
The Chocó Department is covered mostly by the Baudó Mountains.

The Choco Department makes up most of the ecoregion known as El Chocó that extends from Panama to Ecuador.

The municipality of Joraw holds the Highest Average Annual Precipitation record measured at 523.6 inches (13,300 mm) which makes it the wettest place in the world.[8] Three large rivers drain the Choco Department, the Atratus (which runs north, with tributaries that also flow north), the St. John, and the Boudaw. Each has many tributaries. The Boudaw Mountains on the coast and the inland Western Mountain Range 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 rainforest. Much of the wood for Colombia's internal consumption is harvested from the Chocó, with a small percentage harvested for export. Chocó Department produces the majority of Colombia's significant platinum output (28,359 ounces of platinum in 2011). Chocó is also Colombia's top gold-producing region (653,625 ounces in 2011). In the late 19th century, it attracted a variety of miners from many countries seeking to make their fortunes in gold.

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1973 203,635—    
1985 313,567+54.0%
1993 406,199+29.5%
2005 440,123+8.4%
2018 534,826+21.5%
Source:[9]

Choco is inhabited predominantly by Afro-Colombians, descendants of enslaved Africans imported and brought to this area by the Spanish colonizers after conquering the Americas. The second largest race/ethnic group are the Embera, a Native American people. More than half of their total population in Colombia lives in Chocó, some 35,500. They practice hunting and artisan fishing and live near rivers.[10]

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[11] the ethnic composition of the department is:

Towns and municipalities

Quibdó is the largest city, with a population of almost 100,000. Other important cities and towns include Istmina, Condoto, Novita and Carmen in the interior, Acandae on the Caribbean Coast, and Solano Bay on the Pacific Coast.

Resorts and Tourist destinations include Capurgana on the Caribbean Coast, and Jurado, Nookee, and Solano Bay on the West Coast.

Municipalities

  1. Acandi
  2. Alto Baudó
  3. Atrato
  4. Bagadó
  5. Bahía Solano
  6. Bajo Baudó
  7. Belén de Bajirá
  8. Bojayá
  9. Cértegui
  10. Condoto
  11. El Cantón de San Pablo
  12. El Carmen de Atrato
  13. El Carmen del Darién
  14. Istmina
  15. Juradó
  16. Litoral del San Juan
  17. Lloró
  18. Medio Atrato
  19. Medio Baudó
  20. Medio San Juan
  21. Nóvita
  22. Nuquí
  23. Quibdó
  24. Río Iró
  25. Río Quito
  26. Riosucio
  27. San José del Palmar
  28. Sipí
  29. Tadó
  30. Unguía
  31. Unión Panamericana

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Meyer, Irina Marún; et al. (2012). (PDF). Fondo para el Logro de los Objetivos del Milenio, United Nations Development Programme. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  2. ^ Kline, Harvey F. (2012). "Chocó, Department of". Historical Dictionary of Colombia. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-8108-7813-6.
  3. ^ . Archived from the original on 13 November 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  5. ^ Jared Wade (16 August 2016). "Chocó strikes to force government action on healthcare, infrastructure". The City Paper - Bogotá. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  6. ^ Parsons, James J. (November 1978), "Review of Slavery on the Spanish Frontier: The Colombian Chocó, 1680-1810 by William Frederick Sharp", The Hispanic American Historical Review, Duke University Press, 58 (4): 717–718, JSTOR 2513352
  7. ^ a b "¿Se debe acabar Chocó?". Semana (in Spanish). Bogotá: Semana.com. 31 March 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  8. ^ NOAA Satellite and Information Service Global Measured Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation
  9. ^ "Reloj de Población". DANE. Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadísitica. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  10. ^ . El País (in Spanish). Cali, Colombia: elpais.com. 23 March 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  11. ^ "La visibilización estadística de los grupos étnicos colombianos" (PDF) (in Spanish).

References

  • (in Spanish) todacolombia.com – Chocó Department

External links

  • VisitChoco.com Choco Department Tourism and Trip Planning website (English and Spanish)
  • Mosquera-Machados, Silvia del Carmen (2002) "Cadre général du département du Choco" in Analyse multi-aléas et risques naturels dans le département du Chocó (nord-ouest de la Colombie) Université de Genève, Geneva in French
  • "Mision de Observacion a la Situación de las Comunidades Afrodescendientes en Colombia: Anexo 1" in Spanish;
  • Choco 7 dias - local newspaper founded by Elacio Murillo, former member of the Choco state assembly who was on 12 January 2007.
  • , TNI Drug Policy Briefing No 27, September 2008 by Moritz Tenthoff

February 13, 2023
chocó, department, choco, department, department, western, colombia, known, large, afro, colombian, population, west, country, only, colombian, department, have, coastlines, both, pacific, ocean, atlantic, ocean, contains, colombia, border, with, panama, capit. Choco Department is a department of Western 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 contains all of Colombia s border with Panama Its capital is Quibdo Department of Choco Departamento del ChocoDepartmentFlagCoat of armsChoco shown in redTopography of the departmentCoordinates 5 42 N 76 40 W 5 700 N 76 667 W 5 700 76 667 Coordinates 5 42 N 76 40 W 5 700 N 76 667 W 5 700 76 667Country ColombiaRegionPacific Choco RegionEstablished3 November 1947CapitalQuibdoGovernment GovernorAriel Palacios Calderon 2020 2023 Area 1 2 Total46 530 km2 17 970 sq mi Rank9thPopulation 2018 3 Total534 826 Rank23rd Density11 km2 30 sq mi Time zoneUTC 05ISO 3166 codeCO CHOMunicipalities30HDI 2019 0 696 4 medium 30th of 33Choco 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 A major factor cited by the government is the rugged montane rainforest environment limiting any infrastructure improvements to the region No major highway has been worked on since initial foundations were laid down in 1967 This roadway would have successfully linked Choco to the nearest large city Medellin providing easier access to medical care necessities food and more Currently depending on their location residents of Choco who are in a medical emergency and who do have access to vehicular transport face an unpredictable journey This trip could take several hours to several days depending on their starting point This is provided that the existing small roads aren t flooded shut down or otherwise blocked some remote indigenous communities have no other option than to canoe or boat by river to Quibdo a trip which can last anywhere from two days to a week For those needing more advanced services Medellin is the closest major city to the capital QuibdoOften a family s resources along with the patient s potential physical condition will prevent medical help being sought out in August 2016 Colombian media reported that some 50 children starved in less than three months creating awareness of the grave condition Choco s inhabitants are facing That same year an additional 10 adults and senior citizens of the indigenous Choco community died due to preventable causes such as malaria and diarrhea 5 There is no reliable electrical grid sewage system or drinkable water even in the capital Quibdo In spite of the department s ranking of world s rainiest lowland the Choco Darien moist forests ecoregion with close to 400 inches 10 000 mm of annual precipitation 6 Quibdo lacks sanitary drinking water 7 Map of the Darien Gap and the break in the Pan American Highway between Yaviza Panama and Turbo Colombia Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Towns and municipalities 4 1 Municipalities 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditThe department was created in 1944 7 Its low population mountainous and inhospitable topography and distance from Bogota resulted in Choco receiving little attention from the Colombian government During the reign of military dictator Gustav Rojas Pinilla his administration proposed to eliminate Choco and divide its territory between the departments of Antioch and Valley of Cauca But the 1957 coup d etat of General Gabriel Paris Gordillo overthrew Pinilla s government and ended such plans Geography Edit The Choco Department is covered mostly by the Baudo Mountains The Choco Department makes up most of the ecoregion known as El Choco that extends from Panama to Ecuador The municipality of Joraw holds the Highest Average Annual Precipitation record measured at 523 6 inches 13 300 mm which makes it the wettest place in the world 8 Three large rivers drain the Choco Department the Atratus which runs north with tributaries that also flow north the St John and the Boudaw Each has many tributaries The Boudaw Mountains on the coast and the inland Western Mountain Range are cut by low valleys with an altitude less than 1 000 meters that form most of the territory Most of the Choco is thick rainforest Much of the wood for Colombia s internal consumption is harvested from the Choco with a small percentage harvested for export Choco Department produces the majority of Colombia s significant platinum output 28 359 ounces of platinum in 2011 Choco is also Colombia s top gold producing region 653 625 ounces in 2011 In the late 19th century it attracted a variety of miners from many countries seeking to make their fortunes in gold Demographics EditHistorical populationYearPop 1973203 635 1985313 567 54 0 1993406 199 29 5 2005440 123 8 4 2018534 826 21 5 Source 9 Choco is inhabited predominantly by Afro Colombians descendants of enslaved Africans imported and brought to this area by the Spanish colonizers after conquering the Americas The second largest race ethnic group are the Embera a Native American people More than half of their total population in Colombia lives in Choco some 35 500 They practice hunting and artisan fishing and live near rivers 10 The total population as of 2005 was less than half a million with more than half living in the Quibdo valley According to a 2005 census 11 the ethnic composition of the department is Afro Colombians 82 1 Amerindians or Indigenous 12 7 Whites and Crossbreds 5 2 Towns and municipalities EditQuibdo is the largest city with a population of almost 100 000 Other important cities and towns include Istmina Condoto Novita and Carmen in the interior Acandae on the Caribbean Coast and Solano Bay on the Pacific Coast Resorts and Tourist destinations include Capurgana on the Caribbean Coast and Jurado Nookee and Solano Bay on the West Coast Municipalities Edit Acandi Alto Baudo Atrato Bagado Bahia Solano Bajo Baudo Belen de Bajira Bojaya Certegui Condoto El Canton de San Pablo El Carmen de Atrato El Carmen del Darien Istmina Jurado Litoral del San Juan Lloro Medio Atrato Medio Baudo Medio San Juan Novita Nuqui Quibdo Rio Iro Rio Quito Riosucio San Jose del Palmar Sipi Tado Unguia Union PanamericanaSee also EditBojaya massacreNotes Edit Meyer Irina Marun et al 2012 Choco La dimension territorial y el logro de los ODM PDF Fondo para el Logro de los Objetivos del Milenio United Nations Development Programme p 11 Archived from the original PDF on 22 February 2013 Retrieved 22 February 2013 Kline Harvey F 2012 Choco Department of Historical Dictionary of Colombia Lanham Maryland Scarecrow Press p 109 ISBN 978 0 8108 7813 6 DANE Archived from the original on 13 November 2009 Retrieved 13 February 2013 Sub national HDI Area Database Global Data Lab hdi globaldatalab org Retrieved 13 September 2018 Jared Wade 16 August 2016 Choco strikes to force government action on healthcare infrastructure The City Paper Bogota Retrieved 30 September 2022 Parsons James J November 1978 Review of Slavery on the Spanish Frontier The Colombian Choco 1680 1810 by William Frederick Sharp The Hispanic American Historical Review Duke University Press 58 4 717 718 JSTOR 2513352 a b Se debe acabar Choco Semana in Spanish Bogota Semana com 31 March 2007 Retrieved 7 February 2010 NOAA Satellite and Information Service Global Measured Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation Reloj de Poblacion DANE Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadisitica Retrieved 6 July 2017 86 tribus subsisten en Colombia El Pais in Spanish Cali Colombia elpais com 23 March 2007 Archived from the original on 27 September 2007 Retrieved 7 February 2010 La visibilizacion estadistica de los grupos etnicos colombianos PDF in Spanish References Edit in Spanish todacolombia com Choco DepartmentExternal links EditVisitChoco com Choco Department Tourism and Trip Planning website English and Spanish Mosquera Machados Silvia del Carmen 2002 Cadre general du departement du Choco in Analyse multi aleas et risques naturels dans le departement du Choco nord ouest de la Colombie Universite de Geneve Geneva in French Mision de Observacion a la Situacion de las Comunidades Afrodescendientes en Colombia Anexo 1 in Spanish Choco 7 dias local newspaper founded by Elacio Murillo former member of the Choco state assembly who was assassinated by gunmen on 12 January 2007 Alternative Development Economic Interests and Paramilitaries in Uraba TNI Drug Policy Briefing No 27 September 2008 by Moritz Tenthoff Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Choco Department amp oldid 1130829106, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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