Galapagos Islands | Fact & Information

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Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands are one of the most fascinating places on Earth.They are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. They are located about 960 km west of Ecuador, in northwestern South America. The Galapagos Islands group has 13 major islands and 6 smaller ones. The group is also called the Archipelago de Colon.

The Galapagos Islands cover a total land area of 7,9l5.52 sq km scattered over 58,810.88 sq km of the ocean. Human population is scarce. There are only around 6,080 people living on the islands. The Galapagos Islands are known for the wide variety of indigenous fauna.

Discovery


Fray Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama was the first person to visit the islands in 1535.He discovered the islands accidentally when he was sailing to Peru to settle a dispute between Francisco Pizarro and his lieutenants after the conquest of the Incas. His ship stalled when the winds died and strong currents carried him out to the Galapagos. Berlanga, later in his writings described the harsh, desert-like condition of the islands. He also wrote about the large tortoises that Galapagos are known for, marine iguanas, sea lions, and many types of birds.

Darwin's observations


Charles Darwin was the first to make a scientific study of the Galapagos Islands in 1835. He studied many different species of birds, tortoises, and iguanas that inhabited the islands and made an astonishing observation. He observed that the giant tortoises found on all the islands differed from each other. He also found that many of the birds, especially the land birds, were endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Darwin maintained throughout his life that the Galapagos Islands were the source of all his ideas and research. Because of Darwin’s observation, islonethe Galapagos are today most closely associated with Darwin.

Isabela Island


Isabela Island is the largest island of the archipelago. It covers an area of 4,536.32 sq km. It is shaped like a sea horse and is lined with a. chain of active volcanoes. Geologically, the is one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Wolf Volcano, at a height of 1,700 m, is the highest peak on the island. Isabela Island is also known for its rich flora and fauna. It is home to the highest number of Galapagos tortoises. Some of the tortoises found on the island spend most of their time wallowing in the mud in the volcano craters. This characteristic of Galapagos tortoises has not been noticed in any other tortoise species.

Ferdinanda Island


Ferdinanda Island is located on the west side of Isabela Island. It is one of the most volcanically active islands. It covers an area of 634 sq km. It is the third largest and the youngest of all the Galapagos Islands. It is home to a large colony of marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and flightless cormorants. However, no human population is found on the island.


Santa Cruz Island


Santa Cruz is the central island of the Galapagos Island. It covers an area of 993.28 sq km. It is the most highly populated Galapagos Island. It also receives the highest number of visitors. The Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Centre are located on the island. Santa Cruz Island has also known as ‘Chaves’ and its official Ecuadorian name is ‘Isla Santa Cruz’.


 World Heritage Site


The Galapagos Islands have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The islands are owned by Ecuador and are maintained as part of the nation’s national park system.

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