The Pan-American Highway, which measures approximately 48,000 kilometers, is known as the longest road network in the world. However, this designation is frustrated by a 87 km stretch of jungle between Panama and Colombia that lacks direct road connection due to geographical and environmental conditions that interrupt it.
According to maps, the Pan-American Highway extends from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, USA, to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, crossing 14 countries in America. However, the Darién Gap irreparably cuts this route into two parts. The northern stretch, from Alaska to the town of Yaviza in Panama, takes about 128 hours, while the southern stretch, from Colombia to Ushuaia, can be completed in about 108 hours.
The Darién Gap is a dense, impenetrable rainforest that lies between Panama and Colombia, becoming a dangerous and deadly migratory route. This region, one of the most humid on the planet, lacks adequate infrastructure and presents risks such as exploitation, theft, sexual violence, and death. The dangers range from wild animal life to lack of water and supplies, flooding, insect bites, and accidents due to rugged terrain.
To control access to the Darién Gap, the Panamanian government has installed barbed wire barriers at several points. Additionally, an agreement has been signed between Panama and the United States to curb migration in this area.
Despite the interruption in the Darién Gap, connecting both sections, the Pan-American Highway is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest route in the world. This epic route traverses deserts in Mexico, jungles in Colombia, and mountains in the Andes, marking a milestone in the history of road construction.
