Galapagos Islands, EcuadorBy: S. Holcomb

What is it?

Consists of 13 major islands, 5 of which are inhabited

The main reason for tourists and nature lovers to visit the Galapagos Islands is the multitude of animals, freely romping about that are known to most people only from the Discovery Channel.

Location

• Coordinates: 0.6667° S, 90.5500° W

• The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago or Volcanic Island and a province of Ecuador located around the equator.

Transportation

Air: Flights from the mainland arrive at two airports: Isla Baltra just north of Santa Cruz and Isla San Cristóbal.

Names of the Islands

Bartholomew Island

Daphne Islands

Española Island

Fernandina Island

Floreana Island

Genovesa Island

Isabela Island

Mosquera Islet

North Seymour Island

Rábida Island

Santa Cruz Island

San Cristobal Island

Santiago Island

South Plaza Island

And Santa Fe Island

Top 5 reasons to go There1. Darwin- In 1831, Charles Darwin sailed to the Galápagos

Islands in the HMS Beagle. It was the unique diversity of the Galápagos Islands that sparked Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. No where else can you see such a clear effect and role of evolution.

2. Wildlife- The Galápagos Islands might just be the best place on the planet to see wildlife in their natural habitat. The Galápagos is home to an incredible mix of polar and tropical species of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish, many of which are endemic to the islands.

3. Volcanoes- The 13 islands that make up the Galápagos were born from fiery volcanoes.

4. Cruising- There is just something about cruising the open ocean on a yacht! But that's not the only way to cruise the Galápagos. You can also cruise the islands by kayak and experience.

5. The Boobies- You knew it was coming... But it is true, the Galápagos is home to three different species of boobies. The Blue-footed booby, Red-footed and the Nazca booby.

Interesting Facts

People: First human to set foot - Charles Darwin wasn't first.

Hardly. He arrived in 1835, exactly 300 years after the islands were discovered in 1535 when a ship was blown off course. Although there is speculation that the Incas knew of the place before 1500, the evidence is tenuous.

Past residents- They included pirates, whalers, convicts, and early settlers.

Today's population: It's around 20,000. Most residents live in Puerto Ayora (9,000) and Puerto Baquerizo (6,000).

Tourist count: Currently, more than 60,000 tourists per year visit the Galapagos. The maximum government permitted number is 90,000

Interesting Facts (Continued)

Geology O r i g i n : T h e G a l a p a g o s I s l a n d s w e r e f o r m e d

b y a c c u m u l a t i n g l a v a o o z i n g u p w a r d f r o m b e n e a t h t h e o c e a n fl o o r. T h i s g e o l o g i c a l p r o c e s s r e a c h e d s e a l e v e l n e a r l y 4 m i l l i o n y e a r s a g o .

To d ay, s o m e o f t h e v o l c a n o e s a r e s t i l l a c t i v e , w i t h o c c a s i o n a l e r u p t i o n s a n d s e i s m i c a c t i v i t y.

T h e i s l a n d s p h y s i c a l l y d i ff e r, t h e t e r r a i n a n d t o p o g r a p h y v a r y. S o m e i s l a n d s a r e s m a l l a n d fl a t , o t h e r s b i g a n d t a l l .

Sources

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador/the-galapagos-islands/transport/getting-there-away

http://www.hillmanwonders.com/galapagos_cruise/galapagos_facts.htm