More info on Wikipedia
Quick Facts
- Galapagos Islands are 972 km to the west of Equador
- The language on Galapagos is Spanish
- Galapago is an old Spanish word meaning 'paddle'
- There are 16 main islands and 6 smaller ones
- Isabella is the largest island
Expert summary
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands situated around the Equator, to the west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. This archipelago which has a population of about 40,000 is a province of Ecuador. The islands are renowned for its collection of endemic species. Charles Darwin made a series of studies on the islands during his voyage of the Beagle and they contributed significantly to the formulation of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. The name of the islands refers to a Spanish word for paddle and, therefore, alludes to the huge tortoise found on the islands. 97.5% of the archipelago’s land is now a national park, to prevent any more threat to the flora and fauna.
Recommended content
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UNESCO.org - Galapagos Islands
Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world’s heritage. -
GCT- Galapagos Conservation Trust
Welcome to the website of the Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT), a UK charity that raises funds for, and awareness of, the conservation needs of the Galapagos Islands. Charles Darwin was intrigued with the unique wildlife he saw when visiting the islands in 1835, and to this day they continue to inspire and excite scientists and visitors alike. We work with the key institutions in Galapagos to ensure a sustainable future for this natural treasure, and are part of the international Friends of Galapagos network. -
Charles Darwin Foundation
The mission : To provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago
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Galapagos Islands
his is a compilation of my visit to the Galapagos Islands, July 2005. Unfortunately the images are not as sharp as my origional version, but you get a good impression anyway! Enjoy! -
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Giant Galapagos Turtoise, island of Santa Cruz
On this inhabited island, I met Giant Tortoises, for whom the Galapagos Islands are named; a clip from "Gringo in the Galapagos", the Intrepid Berkeley Explorer's free video featuring Ecuador's Highlands, the Jungle, and then out to the Galapagos Islands for personal visits with animals of many kinds that are not scared of humans.
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Galapagos
"The situation is acute. If we could entirely eliminate our cortex, it would perhaps, not be so serious. We could, perhaps, live as complex a life as a fish and have a nervous system perfectly adjusted to such a life." This speculation from page 295 of Science and Sanity by Alfred Korzybski describes Vonnegut's theme rather well. Vonnegut once again pulls humor out of bleakness. -
Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World
If you want to take an exotic trip to South America to visit the Galapagos Islands, but can't actually afford the air fare and hotel accommodations, you'll want to sit back in the comfort of your home and enjoy "Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World". The commentary was wonderful, and the colors, sites and scenes were magnificent. -
Galapagagos: A National History Guide
Every naturalist guide in the Galapagos has this book. They also sell this book at the Charles Darwin Center in Santa Cruz, and it is a must read. It explains how the islands came about and what makes them so unique. I highly recommend this book!
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