World Places: Galápagos Islands South America

Galapagos Islands, South America

The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The islands are quite remote and isolated, lying some 1000 km (620 miles) west of the South American continent. The Galapagos archipelago consists of 13 main islands and 6 smaller isles, which together embrace some 50,000 sq km (19,500 sq miles) of ocean.

The Galápagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife- much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. The islands are therefore very popular amongst natural historians, both professional and amateur. Giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas and different bird species can all be seen and approached. The landscape of the islands is relatively barren and volcanic, but beautiful nonetheless. The highest mountain amongst the islands is Volcán Wolf on Isla Isabela, 1707 m (5600ft) high.

The Galápagos were claimed by newly-independent Ecuador in 1832, a mere three years before Darwin's visit on the Beagle. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the islands were inhabited by very few settlers and were used as a penal colony, the last closing in 1959 when the islands were declared a national park. The Galapagos were subsequently listed as a World Heritage Site in 1978.

Strict controls on tourist access are maintained in an effort to protect the natural habitats and all visitors must be accompanied by a national park-certified naturalist tour guide.

The Galapagos Islands are:

- Baltra (an airport and military base)
- Bartolome
- Darwin & Wolf
- Espanola
- Fernandina
- Floreana
- Genovesa
- Isabela - the largest island
- Marchena
- North Seymour
- Pinta
- Pinzon
- Rabida
- San Cristobal
- Santa Cruz - the main island and population centre
- Santa Fe
- Santiago
- South Plaza