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archipelago is politically part of Ecuador. The oldest of the islands are about 4 million years old and the youngest are still in the process of being formed. Indeed, the Galápagos islands are considered to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.
They are famed for their vast number of endemic species and the studies conducted by Charles Darwin that led to his theory of natural selection.
The islands are distributed to the north and south of the equator. The equator crosses the northern part of the largest island, Isabela.
See also: Galápagos Province & Information on wildlife for each island, history, maps and photos
The Galápagos Islands were declared a national park in 1959, protecting 97.5% of the archipelago's land area. The remaining area was set aside for the four human settlements that existed at that time. Approximately 1,000 to 2,000 people called the islands their home. In 1972 a census was done in the Archipelago and a population of 3,488 was recorded. By the 1980s, this number had dramatically risen to more than 15,000 people.
In 1986 the surrounding ocean was declared a marine reserve. UNESCO recognised the islands as a World Heritage Site in 1978, which was extended in December 2001 to include the marine reserve. The Charles Darwin Foundation dedicated to the conservation of the islands was founded in Belgium in 1959.
Noteworthy species include:
land iguana, Conolophus subcristatus marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus (only iguana feeding from the sea) Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus, known as Galapago in Spanish, is the animal that gave the name to the islands. 13 endemic species of finch, popularly called Darwin's Finches Galapagos penguin, Spheniscus mendiculus, - it's unusual for penguins to live at the equator. flightless cormorant, Nannopterum harrisi
The archipelago has been known by many different names, including the "Enchanted Islands" because of the way in which the strong and swift currents made navigation difficult. The first crude navigation chart of the islands was done by the buccaneer Ambrose Cowley in 1684, and in those charts he named the islands after some of his fellow pirates or after the English noblemen who helped the pirates' cause.
The main islands of the archipelago (with their English names) are
San Cristóbal (Chatham) It bears the name of the Patron Saint of seafarers, " St. Christopher" its English name was given after the English nobleman Count Chatham. It has an area of 558 km2 and its highest point rises to 730 metres. This islands hoasts frigate birds, sea lions, giant turtles, blue and red footed boobies, tropical birds, marine iguanaIguana : Animalia : Chordata : Reptilia : Squamata : Sauria : Iguanidae Iguana Species Iguana delicatissima Iguana iguana Classification of Genus Iguana (after Frost et al. Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima Green Iguana, Iguana iguana Referencs, dolphinThis article is about the dolphin mammal. For other uses of the term, please see dolphin (disambiguation). See article below. Dolphins are certain aquatic mammals related to whales and porpoises. The word is used in a few different ways. It can mean: #anys, swallow-tailed gulls. Its vegetation includes Calandrina Galapagos, Lecocarpus Darwinii, trees such as Lignum Vitae, Matazarna. The largest fresh water lake in the archipelago, "Laguna El Junco" is located in the highlands of San Cristóbal. The capital of the archipelago, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, lies at the southern tip of the island.
Española (Hood) Its name was given in honor of Spain. It is also known as Hood after an English nobleman. It has an area of 60 km2 and a maximum altitude of 206 metres. Española is the nesting place of the albatrossWaved Albatross : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Procellariiformes : Diomedeidae Phoebastria irrorata Binomial name Phoebastria irrorata Salvin, 1883 The Waved Albatross is the only member of the Diomedeidae family located in the tropics. It breeds exclusiv and also hoasts sparrow hawks, marine turtleSee text Turtles a generic name for the group of reptiles which includes tortoises and terrapins are reptiles most of whose body is shielded by a special bony shell developed from their ribs. All turtles are members of the order Testudines, which includess, masqued boobiesBoobies Red-footed Booby : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Passeriformes : Sulidae Genera Papasula Sula Species ''Papasula Papasula abbotti or Sula abbotti ''Sula Sula nebouxii Sula variegata Sula dactylatra Sula sula Sula leucogaster † See also Ganne, marine iguanaIguana : Animalia : Chordata : Reptilia : Squamata : Sauria : Iguanidae Iguana Species Iguana delicatissima Iguana iguana Classification of Genus Iguana (after Frost et al. Lesser Antillean Iguana, Iguana delicatissima Green Iguana, Iguana iguana Referencs, sharksee text Sharks are a group (superorder Selachimorpha of fish, with a full cartilaginous skeleton, a streamlined body plan with between 5 and 7 gill slits along the sides (most often) or side of the head (the first modified slit is behind the eye and calls, sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, finches, Galápagos doves, giant turtles, tropic birds and blue-footed boobies. A lava fissure on the shore has created a blowhole where water spurts high in the air when the waves hit the wall. It is the southernmost island of the archipelago hosting a large proportion of endemic fauna.
Santa Fé (Barrington) Named after a city in Spain, has an area of 24 km2 and a maximum altitude of 259 metres. Santa Fe hosts a forest of Opuntia cactus, which are the largest of the archipelago, and Palo Santo. Weathered cliffs provide a haven for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, sehar-waters petrels. Santa Fe species of Land iguanas are often seen, as well as lava lizards. There is a picturesque turquoise lagoon and calm waters where snorkeling can be done along with sea lions.
Genovesa (Tower) The name is derived from Genoa, Italy where it is said Columbus was born. It has an area of 14 km2 and a maximum altitude of 76 metres. This island is formed by the remaining edge of a large crater that is submerged. Its nickname of “the bird island” is clearly justified. At Darwin Bay, Frigate birds, Swallow-tailed Gulls, which are the only nocturnal of its species in the world can be seen. Red-Footed Boobies, Noddy Terns, Lava Gulls, Tropic Birds, Doves, Storm Petrels and Darwin Finches are also in sight. Prince Philip´s Steps is a magnificent bird-watching plateau with Masked and Red-Footed Boobies. There is a large Palo Santo forest.
Floreana (Charles or Santa María) It was named after Juan Jose Flores, the first President of Ecuador, during whose administration the government of Ecuador took possession of the archipelago. It is also called Santa Maria after one of the caravels of Columbus. It has an area of 173 km2 and a maximum altitude of 640 metres. It is one of the islands with the most interesting human history and one of the earliest to be inhabited. Pink flamingos and Green Sea Turtles nest (December to May) in this island. The "joint footed" petrel is found here, a nocturnal sea bird which spends most of its life away from land. At Post Office Bay, since the 18th century whalers kept a wooden barrel that served as post office so that mail could be picked up and delivered to their destination mainly Europe and the United States by ships on their way home. At the “Devil´s Crown”, an underwater volcanic cone, coral formations are found.
South Plaza It is named in honor of a former president of Ecuador, General Leonidas Plaza. It has an area of 0.13 km2 and a maximum altitude of 23 metres. The flora of South Plaza includes Opuntia cactua and Sesuvium plants, which forms a reddish carpet on top of the lava formations. Iguanas (land and marine and some hybrids of both species) are abundant and there are a large number of birds that can be observed from the cliffs at the southern part of the island, including tropic birds and swallow-tailed gulls.
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Named after the Holy Cross, its English name was given after the British vessel bearing this name (H.M.S. Indefatigable). It has an area of 986 km2 and a maximum altitude of 864 metres. Santa Cruz is the island that hosts the largest human population in the archipelago at the town of Puerto Ayora. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the headquarters of the Galapagos National Park Service are located here. At the CDRS operates a tortoise breeding center where these chelonians are prepared to be reintroduced to their natural habitat. The Highlands of Santa Cruz offer an exuberant vegetation and are famous for the lava tunnels. Large tortoise populations are found here. Black Turtle Cove is a fantastic site surrounded by mangrove which sea turtles, rays and small sharks sometimes use as a mating area. Cerro Dragón, known for its flamingo lagoon, is also located here, and along the trail one may see land iguanas foraging.
Baltra (South Seymour) The origin of its name is unknown. It has an area of 27 km2 and a maximum altitude of 100 metres. The main airport of the archipelago is located here and was built during WWII by the United States Navy to patrol the Panama Canal. Land iguanas were reintroduced after the native population became extinct during the time when American soldiers were posted in this island, and marine iguanas and marine turtles can also be seen here.
North Seymour Its name was given after an English nobleman called Lord Hugh Seymour. It has an area of 1.9 km2 and a maximum altitude of 28 metres. This islands is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It hosts one of the largest populations of frigate birds, with their magnificent red pouches.
Marchena (Bindloe) Named after Fray Antonio Marchena. Has an area of 130 km2 and a maximum altitude of 343 metres. Sparrow hawks and sea lions inhabit this island.
Pinzón (Duncan) Named after the Pinzon brothers, captains of the Pinta and Niña Caravels. Has an area of 18 km2 and a maximum altitude of 458 metres. Sea lions, sparrow hawks, giant turtles, marine iguanas and dolphins can be seen here.
Rábida (Jervis) It bears the name of the convent of Rábida where Columbus left his son during his voyage to the Americas. Has an area of 4.9 km2 and a maximum altitude of 367 metres. The high amount of iron contained in the lava at Rábida give it a distinctive red color. Flamingos and White-Cheeked Pintail Ducks live in a salt-water lagoon close to the beach, where brown pelicans and boobies have built their nests. Nine species of Finches have been reported in this island.
Bartolomé Named after Lt. David Bartholomew of the British Navy. Has an area of 1.2 km2 and a maximum altitude of 114 metres. Famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the most representative landmark of Galápagos. Here the rare Galápagos Penguins and Sea Lions can be seen. There are amazing lava formations and spatter cones left untouched since the last eruptions.
Santiago (San Salvador, James) Its name is equivalent to Saint James in English; it is also known as San Salvador, after the first island discovered by Columbus in the Caribbean Sea. This island has an area of 585 km2 and a maximum altitude of 907 metres. Marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, flamingos, dolphins and sharks are found here. There are a large number of goats and pigs, animals which were introduced by humans to the islands and have caused great harm to the endemic species. Darwin Finches and Galápagos Hawks are usually seen as well as a colony of Fur Seals. At Sullivan Bay a recent pahoehoe lava flow can be observed.
Pinta (Abingdon) It got its name from one of the caravels of Columbus. Has an area of 60 km2 and a maximum altitude of 777 metres. Swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, sparrow hawks, fur seals can be seen here.
Isabela (Albemarle) This island was named in honor of Queen Isabel who sponsored the voyage of Columbus. With an area of 4.588 km2, it is the largest island of the Galápagos. Its highest point is Wolf Volcano with an altitude of 1,707 metres. The island's shape is the product of the merge of six large volcanoes into a single landmass. In this island penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, boobies, pelicans and Sally lightfoot crabs abound. At the skirts and calderas of the volcanos of Isabela, Land Iguanas and Galápagos Tortoises can be observed, as well as Darwin Finches, Galápagos Hawks, Galápagos Doves and very interesting lowland vegetation. The third-largest human settlement of the archipelago, Puerto Villamil, is located at the south-eastern tip of the island.
Fernandina (Narborough) The name was given in honor of King Fernando of Spain, who sponsored the voyage of Columbus. Fernandina has an area of 642 km2 and a maximum altitude of 1,494 metres. This is the youngest and westernmost island of the Archipelago. Punta Espinoza is a narrow stretch of land where hundreds of Marine Iguanas gather in large groups on black lava rocks. The famous Flightless Cormorant inhabits this island and also Penguins, Pelicans and Sea Lions are abundant. Different types of lava flows can be compared and the Mangrove Forests can be observed.
Wolf (Wenman) This island was named after the German geologist Theodor Wolf. It has an area of 1.3 km2 and a maximum altitude of 253 metres. Here fur seals, frigates, masqued and red footed boobies, marine iguanas, sharks, whales, dolphins and swallow-tailed gulls can be seen.
Darwin (Culpepper) This island is named after Charles Darwin. It has an area of 1.1 km2 and a maximum altitude of 168 metres. Here fur seals, frigates, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, Whales, marine turtles, dolphins, red footed and masqued boobies can be seen.
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