- Inhabitants of the Pacific region of Colombia
- History
- Economy
- Social inequality in the Colombian Pacific
- References
The population of the Pacific region of Colombia includes the inhabitants of the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nariño. The current population is estimated at one million inhabitants, 90% of these being of African origin.
The numerous Afro-American communities are the product of the arrival of slaves together with the Spanish colonization several centuries ago.
The population of this area remains constant or with a relatively slow growth, due to the constant emigration of the settlers.
The Pacific region has a largely desolate geography with little access to basic services.
Inhabitants of the Pacific region of Colombia
Its population is made up of a high percentage of African descendants due to the transfer of slaves by the Spanish colonizers. In many places this ethnic group represents up to 90% of the population mass.
Despite the complexity of its geography, the Pacific region offers suitable places for the inhabitants to have a comfortable life.
The coast is the place where communities usually settle, the exuberance and beauty of its beaches attracts many visitors each year.
History
The Colombian Pacific was the first inhabited place in Colombia due to its location in the north of the country.
Most immigrants from Panama and other countries further north in America decided to settle there, at least temporarily.
The arrival of the Spanish Empire for the exploitation of the minerals of the region caused several conflicts with the local indigenous population, who refused to bow before the insatiable greed of the Europeans.
Eventually it was necessary to bring slaves from Africa to make up for the absence of workers for the mines.
This arrival occurred at the beginning of the seventeenth century, when there was a mixture of ethnic groups (white, indigenous and black).
Economy
At some point in its history, the Pacific region lived almost exclusively on the extraction of minerals and precious metals, a fact that has changed over the years.
Currently, mining continues to be part of the Colombian Pacific economy but to a lesser extent.
Fishing, livestock, agriculture and tourism make up the other commercial activities present in the area.
Although there is a high rate of poverty among the inhabitants, certain geographical and natural factors have made the Pacific region a popular tourist destination.
Every year more tourists decide to go to this part of Colombia. Its beaches, cultural wealth, gastronomy, flora and fauna are its main attractions.
Social inequality in the Colombian Pacific
The Pacific region is the one that harbors the most poverty in Colombia, with very few companies to generate jobs, poor access to essential services such as electricity, gas or drinking water, and poor sanitation conditions.
The illiteracy and human poverty rates are by far the highest in the country.
Various media have accused the government authorities of "having ignored" this population for many years, mainly due to its indigenous and Afro-descendant ethnic group.
References
- The Colombian Pacific (nd). Retrieved on October 22, 2017, from Eumed.
- Pacific Region (sf). Retrieved on October 22, 2017, from the Fundación para el Desarrollo Integral del Pacífico.
- Ethnic groups of Colombia (nd). Retrieved on October 22, 2017, from All of Colombia.
- Keryl Brodmeier (May 2017). Afro-Colombians, a pillar of our culture. Retrieved on October 22, 2017, from El Heraldo.
- José Olinto Rueda (nd). Colombia Pacific. Retrieved on October 22, 2017, from Banco de la República Cultural.
- San Sebastián de Urabá (sf). Retrieved on October 22, 2017, from Country Colombia.