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Galapagos Islands
 Galapagos Islands ... shells of saddlebacked Galápagos tortoises) are an archipelago made up of 13 main volcanic islands, 6 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets. The oldest island is thought to have formed between 5 and 10 million years ago, a result of tectonic activity. The youngest islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are still being formed, with the most recent volcanic eruption in 2005. The Galápagos archipelago is part of Ecuador, a country in northwestern South America. The islands are distributed around the equator, 965 kilometres (about 600 miles) west of Ecuador (recently found to have 3 volcanos in the center island, all of them active) (0° N 91° W). They are famed for their vast number of endemic species and the studies by Charles Darwin that led to his theory of evolution by natural selection. The adjective "Galápagan" may be used to describe things from or related to the islands.Newest Review: ... the boulders beneath the cliffs. ~ Santiago, a million years or so older than Isabella, and hence more rounded and much greener. Iguanas, turtles, flamingos and hawks all thrive here. So too, unfortunately, do pigs and goats originally introduced by would-be settlers, now running wild and disturbing the natural habitat. Just off Santiago is the islet of Bartholomew, which offers no more ... more ... than the standard range of marine life but on which you can climb up to a lookout point from which to admire a fine panorama in all directions, including the apparently famous view of Pinnacle Rock (see pic above).
~ Santa Cruz, Baltra and North Seymou...more |
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Galapagos Islands: The limits of wonder (3474 words)
by duncantorr - written on 01.05.08 (Very useful, 331 readings)
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The Galápagos Islands are famously wonderful - in the literal sense of being full of wonders. Their location is unique and so, in consequence, is much of their wildlife. In the continuing throes of creation by a volcanic hotspot far out in the Pacific Ocean, they provide a natural laboratory for the study of how life first gains a foothold, and then adapts to survive, on new terrain. Moreover, since most of their area has been declared a national park by the Ecuadorian government, every effort is being made to conserve their extraordinary character. Whether this makes them wonderful to visit is a different question, the answer depending on what you look for in ...
My Trip Of A LIfetime (3399 words)
by rosehall - written on 28.05.07 (Very useful, 137 readings)
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I had always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands because of the diverse, unique wildlife so unafraid of man and to be found nowhere else on earth. The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago of 13 islands just under the Equator about 600 miles west of Ecuador in South America. The oldest of the islands is said to be around 4 million years old and are supposed to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. The Islands associated with Charles Darwin who visited them in 1835 and came up with his “theory of evolution” that is known about all over the world today. These islands are now a National Park and highly regulated. We did a lot ...
Galapagos Islands: IT'S OK.....IF YOU LIKE ANIMALS (1984 words)
by Cat19 - written on 10.04.07 (Very useful, 282 readings)
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On the first morning of my Galapagos Island cruise, myself and nine other passengers excitedly boarded a dinghy to take us to shore for our first encounter. After landing and just as we were about to start following the trail, we passed a group from our sister boat who were about to leave following their slightly earlier visit. One of my group spotted a lady she sat next to on the flight over who was looking slightly hot and bothered and admittedly a bit po-faced. Nonetheless my fellow adventurer shouted over enthusiastically to enquire of the experience. The answer “It’s OK….if you like animals”!! Fortunately most people considering a trip to Galapagos ...
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