It is not surprising that the Galapagos Islands are so interesting to explore, because 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 a separate province of Ecuador. Today, all the islands and surrounding rocks have been turned into a national park which attracts crowds of tourists every year.Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos are a species of turtle that live on the islands, which is why the archipelago is named after them. These clusters of patches of land are also called simply Galapagos, Turtle Islands, or the Colón Archipelago. The area also used to be called the Enchanted Islands because it was difficult to dock on land. Numerous currents made navigation difficult, so not everyone was able to reach the shores.Galapagos
The first approximate map of these places was made by a pirate, so all the islands were named after pirates or people who helped them. They were later renamed, but some inhabitants continue to use the old versions. Even the map shows names from different eras.
Geographic features
The archipelago consists of 19 islands, 13 of which are of volcanic origin. It also includes 107 rock outcrops and reclaimed land that protrude above the surface of the water. 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, so the island is still subject to change due to emissions and eruptions, the last occurred in 2005.SEALs
Despite the fact that Galapagos is an equatorial archipelago, the climate here is not hot at all. The reason lies in the cold current that washes the shores. From this the water temperature can drop below 20 degrees. The average annual figure falls into the range of 23-24 degrees. It is worth mentioning that water in the Galapagos Islands is a big problem, as there are almost no sources of fresh water.
Exploring the Islands and their inhabitants
Since the discovery of the islands in March 1535 no one took much interest in the wildlife world of this area until Charles Darwin and his expedition explored the Colón Archipelago. Prior to that, the islands had been a haven for pirates, though they were considered a colony of Spain. Later there was a question of who owned the tropical islands, and in 1832 the Galapagos officially became part of Ecuador and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno was named the capital of the province.
Darwin spent many years on the islands studying the diversity of the finch species. It was here that he developed the foundations of the future evolutionary theory. The animal life 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 no one did it after Darwin, although the Galapagos was recognized as a unique place.
During World War II, the U.S. set up a military base here; at 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, and then began to pay more attention to the protection of natural resources. However, some species by that time were already on the verge of extinction, which is described in detail in the documentary film about the islands.
Because of the specific climatic conditions and formation of the islands, there are many birds, mammals, fish, and plants that are not found anywhere else. The largest animal in the area is the Galapagos sea lion, but of greater interest are giant turtles, boobies, sea lizards, flamingos, and penguins.
Tourist Centers
Tourists when planning a trip want to know how to get to an amazing place. You can choose two popular ways: during a cruise or by plane. There are two airports in the Colón Archipelago, but most often land in Baltre. This is a small island north of Santa Cruz, where Ecuador’s official military bases are now located. It is easily accessible from here to most of the islands popular with tourists.
The photos from the Galapagos Islands are spectacular because there are amazingly beautiful beaches. You can spend the whole day in the blue lagoon, enjoying the tropical sun without the debilitating heat. Many people prefer to go scuba diving, as the seabed abounds with colors because of the volcanic lava frozen in the coastal zone.
In addition, some species of animals are happy to swirl with scuba divers, as they are already accustomed to humans here. But the islands are inhabited by sharks, so you should find out in advance if diving is allowed in the chosen place.Exotic bird
What country wouldn’t be proud of such an amazing place as the Galapagos, given that it is a World Heritage Site. The scenery is more like a picture, as it surprises with an abundance of colors on every side. It is true that to preserve the natural beauty and its inhabitants
