The Patuca River

The Patuca River in northeastern Honduras is a special place. The river, the second longest in Central America, rests in one of the last pristine sections of rainforest left in the Americas. The Patuca river basin contains the Moskitia, the largest and most biodiverse tropical forest north of the Amazon. A portion of the Moskitia was declared a World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Prior to 2009, the majority of the Moskitia was on track to be incorporated into the Patuca National Park.

Jason Hall

The Moskitia is home to dozens of indigenous cultures, including the Tawahka, Miskitu, Pech, Garifuna, many of whom exist nowhere else on the planet. The livelihood of these thousands is intricately tied to the Patuca River. The river channel is the primary artery of these communities. It provides everything from fish to transportation, and the seasonal floods bring much needed nutrients to the banks of the Patuca River.