It is not surprising that the Galapagos Islands are so interesting to explore, as they are home to many unique species of flora and fauna, some of which are on the verge of extinction. The archipelago belongs to the territory of Ecuador and is its separate province. Today, all the islands and the surrounding rocks have been turned into a national park, where crowds of tourists come every year.
Where does the name of the Galapagos Islands come from?
Galapagos is a type of turtles that live on the islands, which is why the archipelago was named after them. These land masses are also referred to simply as the Galapagos, the Turtle Islands or the Colon Archipelago. Also, this territory was previously called the Enchanted Islands, since it was difficult to land on land. Numerous currents made navigation difficult, so not everyone was able to get to the coast.
The first approximate map of these places was made by a pirate, which is why all the names of the islands were given in honor of the pirates or the people who helped them. They were later renamed, but some residents continue to use the old versions. Even the map contains names from different eras.
Geographic features
The archipelago consists of 19 islands, 13 of them are of volcanic origin. It also includes 107 rocks protruding above the water surface and washed-up land areas. By looking at the map, you can understand where the islands are located. The largest of them, Isabela, is also the youngest. There are active volcanoes here, so the island is still subject to changes due to emissions and eruptions, the last one happened in 2005.
Despite the fact that the Galapagos is an equatorial archipelago, the climate here is not sultry at all. The reason lies in the cold current washing the shores. From this, the water temperature can drop below 20 degrees. The average annual rate falls in the range of 23-24 degrees. It is worth mentioning that there is a big problem with water in the Galapagos Islands, as there are almost no fresh water sources here.
Exploration of islands and their inhabitants
Since the discovery of the islands in March 1535, no one has been particularly interested in the wildlife of this area, until Charles Darwin and his expedition began to explore the Colon Archipelago. Prior to this, the islands were a haven for pirates, although they were considered a colony of Spain. Later, the question arose about who owned the tropical islands, and in 1832 Galapagos officially became part of Ecuador, and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno was appointed the capital of the province.
Darwin spent many years on the islands studying the diversity of finch species. It was here that he developed the foundations for future evolutionary theory. The fauna on the Turtle Islands is so rich and unlike the fauna in other parts of the world that it could be studied for decades, but after Darwin, no one was involved, although Galapagos was recognized as a unique place.
During the WWII, the United States established a military base here, after the end of hostilities, the islands were turned into a haven for convicts. Only in 1936 the archipelago was given the status of a National Park, after which they began to pay more attention to the protection of natural resources. True, some species by that time were already on the verge of extinction, which is described in detail in a documentary about the islands.
Due to the specific climatic conditions and the peculiarities of the formation of the islands, there are a lot of birds, mammals, fish, as well as plants that are not found anywhere else. The largest animal inhabiting this area is the Galapagos sea lion, but of greater interest are giant turtles, boobies, sea lizards, flamingos, and penguins.
Tourist centers
When planning a trip, tourists want to know how to get to an amazing place. There are two popular options to choose from: on a cruise or by plane. There are two airports on the Colon archipelago, but most often land in Baltra. It is a small island north of Santa Cruz where Ecuador's official military bases are now located. It is easy to get to most of the islands popular with tourists from here.
Photos from the Galapagos Islands are impressive, because there are beaches of amazing beauty. You can spend the whole day in the blue lagoon enjoying the tropical sun without the sweltering heat. Many people prefer to go diving, as the seabed is teeming with colors due to the volcanic lava frozen in the coastal zone.
We recommend reading about Saona Island.
In addition, some species of animals will happily whirl in a whirlpool with scuba divers, since here they are already accustomed to people. But sharks live near the islands, so you should inquire in advance if diving in the chosen place is allowed.
What country would not be proud of such an amazing place as the Galapagos, considering that it is included in the World Heritage List. Landscapes are more like pictures, since on each side they surprise with an abundance of colors. True, in order to preserve natural beauty and their inhabitants, you have to make a lot of efforts, which is what the research center is doing.
