Pan-American Highway: To Capitalize Or Not?

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina, a distance of around 48,000 kilometres (30,000 miles). It is the world's longest motorable road, according to the Guinness World Records. However, it is not possible to drive the entire route as it is interrupted by the 160-kilometre-wide (100-mile) Darién Gap between Central and South America. The Inter-American Highway, from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to Panama City, is part of the Pan-American Highway.

The Pan-American Highway: Capitalisation Rules

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in the north, to Ushuaia, Argentina, in the south. It covers a distance of around 48,000 kilometres (30,000 miles). According to the Guinness World Records, it is the world's longest "motorable road".

Capitalisation Rules

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has specific capitalisation rules that apply to certain words and phrases in FHWA correspondence. These rules also apply to highways and related terms.

• Interstate System of Highways: Always capitalised.
• National System of Interstate and Defense Highways: Always capitalised.
• National System of Interstate Highways: Always capitalised.
• Interstate Highway System: Always capitalised.
• Act: Capitalised when used with the full title or number of an act.
• Federal: Always capitalised when referring to the Federal Government.
• Federal Aid Highway Act of 1970: Always capitalised.
• Federal-aid highway project and Federal-aid highway program: Not capitalised.
• Federal Lands Highway Program: Always capitalised as it is a specific program under the Federal-aid highway program.
• State(s): Always capitalised when referring to any of the 50 States of the Union.

In addition to the FHWA rules, it is important to follow standard English capitalisation rules for other words and phrases related to the Pan-American Highway.

For example:

• North and South: Only capitalised when referring to specific places, e.g., North America and South America.
• Adjectives derived from place names: Only capitalised when they directly follow the place name, e.g., North American and South American.
• Highway: Capitalised when used as a proper noun or part of a proper noun phrase, e.g., Pan-American Highway. Not capitalised when used as a common noun, e.g., "the highway".

The Pan-American Highway: A History

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across the Americas, measuring about 30,000 kilometres (19,000 miles) in total length. It passes through diverse climates and ecological types, from dense jungles to arid deserts and barren tundra.

The idea for the highway was conceived in the United States in 1923 as a way to link the nations of North, Central, and South America. It was built in stages, with the first stage being a highway from Laredo, Texas, to Mexico City. The second stage was the Inter-American Highway to Panama City, which was constructed in 1941 due to concerns about access to the Panama Canal during World War II. The third stage of the highway, which has not been completed and may never be, would continue to the southern tip of South America at Tierra del Fuego National Park, near Ushuaia, Argentina.

The construction of the Pan-American Highway was a complex and lengthy process that involved negotiations, policies, and ideas from multiple countries. The highway is not officially recognized by the United States, and there is no clear definition of the route. However, it is considered the world's longest "motorable road" by the Guinness World Records.

The highway has been the subject of several books and travel accounts, and it continues to be a symbol of hemispheric relations and international connectivity.

The Pan-American Highway: Geography and Climate

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across the Americas, from Alaska in the north to the southern tip of Argentina. The highway covers a distance of about 30,000 kilometres (19,000 miles) and traverses diverse climates and ecological zones, from dense jungles to arid deserts and barren tundra. The highway is not a single, uniformly administered route, but a collection of roads that often follow long-established routes. Each country through which the highway passes has jurisdiction over the section within its borders.

The highway was conceived in 1923 as a single route connecting North and South America. However, it evolved into a network of designated highways in participating countries. The idea for the highway emerged at a time when automobiles and other vehicles were starting to replace railroads for transportation. The first conference regarding the construction of the highway took place in 1925, and in 1937, several countries signed the Convention on the Pan-American Highway, agreeing to work towards its speedy construction.

The highway is nearly continuous, except for the Darien Gap, a stretch of about 100 kilometres (60 miles) of environmentally sensitive rainforests and marshlands between Panama and Colombia. This gap in the highway presents a challenge for travellers, who must bypass it by boat or plane. The treacherous terrain is home to Indigenous peoples and a diverse array of wildlife. It is also an area of concern for drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

The Pan-American Highway passes through a variety of geographical landscapes and climates. Starting in the north, the highway traverses the majestic mountain wilderness of Alaska and the Yukon, entering the lower 48 states via Washington State and North America's only rainforest. Along the way, it offers spectacular rides through the redwood forests of Oregon and Northern California, and the famous Pacific Coast Highway in the Golden State.

As the highway heads south, the climate and scenery change dramatically. In Mexico, the Inter-American Highway, as it is known, offers various spurs and side shoots for exploration, including Copper Canyon, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Mayan ruins. Central America, with its tropical climate, presents a contrast to the snowy peaks of Alaska. Here, intense downpours in the afternoon can cause localised flooding and turn roads into muddy swamps.

In South America, the highway continues to showcase diverse landscapes and climates. Ecuador and Peru offer a mix of baking deserts and mountain snowstorms. The Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place in the world, presents a unique challenge with its lack of water and petrol. Southern Chile's lake district, known as the Switzerland of South America, offers a stunning ride along the Carretera Austral. The final stretch in Patagonia is characterised by strong winds, deep gravel, and a lack of infrastructure, testing both rider and machine.

The Pan-American Highway: The Darién Gap

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across the Americas, measuring about 30,000 kilometres (19,000 mi) in total length. The highway, which runs from Alaska in the north to Argentina in the south, is interrupted by a 100-kilometre (60-mile) gap of marshland and mountains between Panama and Colombia known as the Darién Gap.

The Darién Gap

The Darién Gap is a geographic region that connects the American continents, stretching across southern Panama's Darién Province and the northern portion of Colombia's Chocó Department. It consists of a large watershed, dense rainforest, and mountains, and is known for its difficult terrain and extreme environment. The region is home to the indigenous Embera-Wounaan and Guna peoples, who have long opposed any plans to continue construction of the highway through the area.

Environmental Concerns

The environmentally sensitive rainforests and marshlands of the Darién Gap are home to a number of indigenous peoples, and there are concerns that building a road through the area could lead to deforestation and facilitate drug trafficking and illegal immigration. In the 1970s, environmentalists raised concerns about the potential impact of road construction on the region's wildlife and natural resources, and these concerns have continued to stall progress on the project.

Political and Social Concerns

In addition to environmental concerns, there are also political and social considerations that have influenced the decision to leave the Darién Gap untouched. The Panamanian government and its people, for example, view the gap as a fortunate buffer that helps to keep criminals and drug traffickers on the Colombian side of the border. There are also concerns that building a road through the area could make it easier for migrants from South America to reach the United States.

The Future of the Darién Gap

Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the Darién Gap, there have been ongoing discussions about how to bridge the gap and complete the Pan-American Highway. One proposal is to build a series of bridges over the ocean waters off the coast, bypassing the gap entirely. However, the cost of such a project would be astronomical, and there are concerns about the potential impact on immigration and drug trafficking. As of 2024, there are no active plans to build a road through the Darién Gap, and it remains a missing link in the Pan-American Highway.

The Pan-American Highway: Traveller Experiences

The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across the Americas, from Alaska to Argentina, covering a distance of approximately 19,000 miles (30,000 km). It is the longest "motorable road" in the world, according to the Guinness World Records.

The highway passes through diverse climates and ecosystems, including jungles, deserts, swamps, and mountain ranges. It offers travellers the opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity of North, Central, and South America.

Traveller Experiences

The Pan-American Highway provides a unique and challenging journey for those who dare to venture on it. The highway is not for the faint-hearted, as it involves navigating through remote and rugged terrains, including the infamous Darién Gap, a lawless and dangerous stretch of land between Panama and Colombia. This section requires travellers to ship their vehicles and travel by plane or boat.

The highway also presents linguistic and cultural barriers for travellers, as it passes through mostly Spanish-speaking countries. Learning basic Spanish phrases and being prepared for cultural differences can greatly enhance the experience and help in navigating problems.

The journey offers a wide range of landscapes and natural wonders, from the frozen Arctic to the equatorial climates of Central America. Along the way, travellers can expect to encounter polar bears and spider monkeys and experience diverse political environments.

The highway is not a single, defined route, but rather a series of routes with multiple options and detours. It is essential to plan the trip carefully, taking into account the available roads and transportation options in each region. Buses and personal vehicles are common modes of transportation, but the highway also attracts cyclists and adventure seekers who take on the challenge of completing the journey by bike or on foot.

The Pan-American Highway is a legendary road trip that promises breathtaking scenery and cultural immersion. It is a test of endurance, resilience, and adaptability, offering travellers a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a lifetime of memories.

Frequently asked questions