Darien

Darien, a name formerly applied to the entire isthmus now generally known as Panamá (q.v.). It is now more properly confined to the heavily-wooded hill-country lying between the Gulfs of Uraba on the north and San Miguel on the south. The former, a principal inlet of the Caribbean Sea, is commonly called the Gulf of Darien; and the Colombians distinguish San Miguel as the Darien of the South. The southern extremity of the northern gulf forms the Bay of Choco, into which the river Atrato (q.v.) debouches; the southern gulf receives the Tuira, after a course of 190 miles, of which over 100 are navigable. Little of the district, which is rich in gold, has yet been explored. There is, however, an active trade in tortoiseshell, pearls, and gold-dust, which the Indians readily barter for firearms and rum. These natives are said to number 20,000, are uncivilised, and as expert with the gun as were their ancestors with the bow. The capital of the district is Yaviza (3000 inhabitants).