Note: Javascript is disabled in your browser.
You need to enable Javascript if you want to see images and video.
Introducing Northwest Colombia
For the people of northwest Colombia, the Andes provide more than gorgeous views. Their rugged, emerald-green peaks divide the region into two distinct geographies, which in turn define the warp and weave of daily life.
To the west of the Andes lies the Chocó department, occupying the lowlands along the Pacific coast. One of the world's wettest places, Chocó logs annual rainfalls of up to 10m - three times more than the Amazon. Such conditions complicate everything from farming to road maintenance, so it's no surprise that the Chocó department is one of the poorest in Colombia. Unfortunately, this isolation has also made Chocó an ideal base for both leftist rebels and paramilitaries. Conditions are improving, but the region still poses risks for travelers.
Advertisement
