CHOC

department, western Colombia, bounded northwest by Panama, northeast by the Ro Atrato, and west by the Pacific Ocean. Almost the entire area of 17,965 sq mi (46,530 sq km) is covered with dense tropical rain forest, and the average annual rainfall of more than 420 in. (10,700 mm) probably exceeds that of any other equatorial area on Earth. The scant population is largely descended from escaped colonial slaves, who were employed in placer mining for gold on the Atrato and San Juan rivers, still Colombia's primary sources of platinum. There is also a thriving lumber industry and some agriculture. The vast swamplands of the Atrato are the most formidable barrier blocking completion of the Pan-American Highway; however, road construction across the Darin gap is under way. The departmental capital is at Quibd (q.v.). Pop. (1981 est.) 331,943. Cariban-speaking Indian people of the Panamanian and Colombian lowlands. The Northern Choc, the most populous, live in villages along the lower reaches of rivers flowing into the Golfo de San Miguel (in Panama) and the rivers of Colombia's Pacific coast; the Southern Choc are concentrated around the Ro San Jos; and the Catio inhabit the eastern portions of the Atrato valley. Choc villages consist of round dwellings on piles, usually along rivers. The Choc practice shifting horticulture, the slash-and-burn pattern common throughout much of tropical America. Unlike most of their neighbours, the Choc grow only food crops. They also hunt with bow and arrow and with blowgun and poisoned darts. Choc society is organized around the household, the oldest male being head spokesman. Because of shifting residence resulting from the ownership of fields by both men and women and because of the necessity of living near these fields, the members of the household are not always the same. The Choc have legends of battles with the neighbouring Kuna; and they were successful in repulsing the Spanish on several occasions in the 17th century.