The Embara live in Darien, Panama, and in Choco, Colombia. (They are also known as Choco.) They were some of the very first people in the Americas to come into contact with Europeans when Columbus landed in Panama. Despite this prolonged contact and their small numbers, they have retained much of their traditional way of life. Recently, particularly in Colombia where their land contains lucrative mineral resources, the Embara have been engaged in strong disagreements with the government.