May 4-9 2009

Ecuador’s Amazonia & Galápagos Islands

May 4-9 2009:: Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands :: Images Courtesy of: Francisco Dousdebes, Charles Darwin Foundation,

Ramiro Jacome, Metropolitan Touring, NOAA.

Straddling the Equator, 1,000 km (600 mi) west of the Ecuadorian coastline

The Galapagos Archipelago...

Galápagos is not as small as it

looks

Charles Darwin FoundationGalapagos was born of fire3 to 5 million years ago

Plate Tectonics

Hot Spot Theory

GEOLOGICAL ORIGIN

Latest Eruption: Ongoing at

Fernandina Island Started April 12, 2009

Charles Darwin FoundationStill in formation – Fernandina Island

OCEANOGRAPHIC SET UP Galapagos are islands called a

“tropical desert”

Weather oddities are set by a complex system of currents:• South Equatorial Current• Cromwell Current• Peruvian (Humboldt) Current• El Niño Current

Prevailing winds are the South-east trade winds

Galapagos lies at a “storm-free belt” in the tropics

FebruaryJuly

March August

March

September

Location: Isabela Island

TROPICAL WEATHER ODDITIES

Galápagos can be visited all year round. It is not a seasonal destination.

But, why is Galápagos so special to the

World?

Darwin’s Route to the Galapagos

Charles Darwin FoundationPenguins & Coral Reefs

Charles Darwin FoundationHammerhead Sharks & Fur Sea Lions

Charles Darwin FoundationFlightless Cormorant

Charles Darwin FoundationWaved Albatross

Charles Darwin FoundationDarwin’s Finches

Giant Tortoises

Greater Flamingo

The Boobies

Charles Darwin Foundation

Eagle Rays

Yellow-Tail Surgeon Fish

Hieroglyphic Hawk Fish

Galápagos Sea Lions

Think Big in Ecuador for 2009 and beyond…

• Charles Darwin’s Bicentennial (1809-2009)

• 150th Anniversary of Origin of Species (1859-2009)

• 50th Anniversary of Galápagos declaration as a National Park (1959-2009)

• Ecuador’s Independence Bicentennial (1809-2009)

1809 - 2009

Tourism in the Galápagos Islands

Visitors Arrive at Baltra & San Cristóbal Airport in the Galapagos on Daily Flights From Quito and Guayaquil

:: 1927 ::

:: 1960 ::

:: 1970 ::

:: 1980 ::

:: 2006 ::

NOW WHAT DO I SELL? LARGE BOAT, SMALL BOAT, or HOTEL?

In Galápagos, nothing is bad unless the wrong option is sold

:: BEYOND VISITING :: Exploring the Galápagos Islands

May 4-9 2009:: Muchas Gracias :: Thank You :: Images Courtesy of: Francisco Dousdebes, Charles Darwin Foundation,

Ramiro Jacome, Metropolitan Touring, NOAA.