Given the high percentage of Afro-Colombians living in Chocó, genetic studies of this population are ideally suited to uncover the as yet untapped African dimension of Colombian ancestry and human biodiversity.Ĭolombian individuals have three-way genetic admixture patterns that result from ancestral contributions to the modern population from Africa, the Americas and Europe ( Rishishwar et al. ![]() Previous Colombian genetic ancestry studies have dealt mainly with Mestizo genomes that have primarily European and secondary Native American ancestry ( Carvajal-Carmona et al. Despite the presence of such a large population of Afro-descendants in Colombia, there is a vast under-representation of genetic studies of Afro-Colombians ( Rishishwar et al. There are anywhere from 9 to 20 million Afro-descendants in Colombia, making it the country with the third most Afro-descendants in the Americas. The vast majority of the population is Afro-Colombian (82.1%) but there are also substantial numbers of Native Americans (12.7%) and individuals with primarily European ancestry (5.2%) ( Hernández Romero 2005). The population of Chocó has a uniquely African genetic heritage with admixture from the Americas and Europe. The entire area of Chocó is contained within the so-called Chocó-Darién biodiversity hotspot, also known as the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena biodiversity hotspot ( ).Īlthough Chocó is widely recognized as a hotspot of biodiversity, one critical aspect of the region’s biodiversity remains largely unexplored, the diversity of its human population ( Figure 1B). There are 25 global regions that qualify as biodiversity hotspots according to this criterion, and together these areas are home to almost 60% of the world’s known species of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. In order for an area to be officially recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, at least 0.5% of its vascular plant species (or 1,500 species) must be characterized as endemics, which are defined as species found uniquely within a pro-scribed geographic region or habitat type. A biodiversity hotspot is defined as a specific geographic region with a large amount of endemic biodiversity that is threatened by human activity ( Zachos and Habel 2011). The state of Chocó is recognized worldwide as a hotspot of biodiversity ( ). ![]() Chocó ranges from the Panamanian border in the north to the Cauca Valley in the southwest region of Colombia. Get in touch with our Colombia experts to start planning your luxury trip to El Chocó.Chocó is a Colombian administrative department ( i.e., a state) located along the country’s Pacific coast ( Figure 1A). Don’t miss a stop at superstar chef Leo Espinosa’s Zotea, or a visit to the Coqui museum and vanilla plantation. Our guides here are second to none, and will introduce you to some incredible fauna and flora, as well as plenty of local characters. We work with one just one property in the region – Yurbata Lodge. This is the ultimate Robinson Crusoe destination for those who don’t mind forsaking a few home comforts.Ī luxury trip to El Chocó will showcase the rawest and realest sides of Colombia. ![]() All access is by boat or by light aircraft.Īs well as the indigenous communities, local traditions and remarkable flora and fauna (including humpback whale watching in June), most journey to El Chocó for the beaches, ranging from the black-sand Playa Guachalito near Nuqui, to the tiny, untouched strips along the coast of the Utria National Park. Here, there is virtually no road transportation. It is a magnificent place for those who enjoy getting truly offbeat. Situated on Colombia’s Pacific Coast and cloaked in dense jungle, El Chocó is one of the few mega-diverse hotspots on the planet.
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