Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

Devin PughDevin Pugh

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• Where:Where:– Located over 1000 km from the South Located over 1000 km from the South

American Continent and 600 miles from American Continent and 600 miles from the Ecuadorian coastline. the Ecuadorian coastline.

– Highest point in the archipelago is the Highest point in the archipelago is the Volcan Wolf (5600 ft.) which is a Volcan Wolf (5600 ft.) which is a volcano on the island of Isabela.volcano on the island of Isabela.

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• Who:Who:– Theory that Incan culture visited island in the Theory that Incan culture visited island in the

1400’s.1400’s.– Fray Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of Fray Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of

Panama, documented the officially first visit Panama, documented the officially first visit to the islands in 1535.to the islands in 1535.

– Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos at 26 Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos at 26 years old.years old.

– Today, 60,000 tourists visit the islands per Today, 60,000 tourists visit the islands per yearyear

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• What:What:– There are many species of animals on the There are many species of animals on the

Galapagos islands not found anywhere else such as Galapagos islands not found anywhere else such as the Galapagos Marine Iguana, the Galapagos Hawk, the Galapagos Marine Iguana, the Galapagos Hawk, and the Frigate.and the Frigate.

– The time zone for the Galapagos Islands is GMT -6, The time zone for the Galapagos Islands is GMT -6, which is one hour behind Ecuador’s mainland which which is one hour behind Ecuador’s mainland which is GMT -5.is GMT -5.

– The climate of the Galapagos Islands is subtropical The climate of the Galapagos Islands is subtropical and it is regulated by the warm El Nino Current and and it is regulated by the warm El Nino Current and the cold Humboldt Currentthe cold Humboldt Current

– In total land area, the islands are 4897 sq. miles In total land area, the islands are 4897 sq. miles and in the total geographical area from Darwin and in the total geographical area from Darwin Island to San Cristobal, 28000 sq. miles.Island to San Cristobal, 28000 sq. miles.

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• When:When:– Initially formed between 3 million and 5 Initially formed between 3 million and 5

million years ago, the islands are “young” million years ago, the islands are “young” in geologic time.in geologic time.

– In the last 200 years, a remarkable fifty In the last 200 years, a remarkable fifty plus eruptions have occurred on the plus eruptions have occurred on the Galapagos Islands.Galapagos Islands.

– Darwin landed on the island in 1845Darwin landed on the island in 1845– In the 450 years of human history, the In the 450 years of human history, the

island have been used as prison colonies, island have been used as prison colonies, naval ports and research stations.naval ports and research stations.

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• Why:Why:– There are many park rules due to the There are many park rules due to the

delicate environmental balance of the delicate environmental balance of the islands.islands.

– The name “Galapagos” came from the giant The name “Galapagos” came from the giant tortoises that were discovered on the island tortoises that were discovered on the island by the Bishop of Panama.by the Bishop of Panama.

– Scientists are still faced with a mystery on Scientists are still faced with a mystery on why such a large diversity of species why such a large diversity of species developed in such a remote location such as developed in such a remote location such as the location of the Galapagos Islands.the location of the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• How:How:– The Galapagos Islands were formed by the The Galapagos Islands were formed by the

combination of dynamic volcanic activity combination of dynamic volcanic activity and the effect of rain and the continual and the effect of rain and the continual force of the vast pacific at their coasts.force of the vast pacific at their coasts.

– The archipelago consists of thirteen major The archipelago consists of thirteen major islands, of which five are inhabited.islands, of which five are inhabited.

– Newer islands are being formed at a rate of Newer islands are being formed at a rate of about 5 cm. per year by the movement of about 5 cm. per year by the movement of tectonic plates.tectonic plates.

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• Past:Past:– In 1546, refugees of Picarro came upon the In 1546, refugees of Picarro came upon the

islands through foggy waters and named islands through foggy waters and named the islands “Las Islas Encantadas”, because the islands “Las Islas Encantadas”, because they thought the islands were enchanting.they thought the islands were enchanting.

– In 1807, Galapagos received its first In 1807, Galapagos received its first resident, Irishman Patrick Watkins, who resident, Irishman Patrick Watkins, who was marooned on Floreana for two years.was marooned on Floreana for two years.

– In 1959, Ecuador declared the islands its In 1959, Ecuador declared the islands its first national park.first national park.

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• Present:Present:– The islands are impacted by environmental The islands are impacted by environmental

issues such as El Nino.issues such as El Nino.– The island is also impacted by The island is also impacted by

overpopulation, tourism, and introduced overpopulation, tourism, and introduced species.species.

– There are many fund raisers and There are many fund raisers and conservation parks to help conserve the conservation parks to help conserve the natural beauty of the islands.natural beauty of the islands.

– Many tourists come to the islands to see the Many tourists come to the islands to see the wildlife, the flora, and the fantastic sceneries.wildlife, the flora, and the fantastic sceneries.

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos Islands

• Fun Facts:Fun Facts:– Darwin Island, one of the main islands in Darwin Island, one of the main islands in

archipelago, is named for the naturalist.archipelago, is named for the naturalist.– Poisonous manzanillo apple trees are Poisonous manzanillo apple trees are

native to the islands.native to the islands.– There are thirteen species of Darwin’s There are thirteen species of Darwin’s

finches endemic to the islands.finches endemic to the islands.

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