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THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

GeographyThe Galapagos archipelago is located on both sides of the equator to about 970 km (600 miles) west of mainland Ecuador. Local time is GMT -6. It consists of thirteen major islands, six smaller islands, 42 islands and several rocks, which cover a total area of 7,850 km ². The largest island is Isabela, with an area of 4,590 km ², which also has the highest point of the archipelago, Wolf Volcano, 1,690 meters. 97% of the total area of the islands is part of the Galapagos National Park, the rest is inhabited areas and cultures of the islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana, in addition to Baltra island, occupied in its entirety by the Armed Forces of Ecuador. The Galapagos are also a province of Ecuador, whose capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island. Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island is the city with the highest tourist. The total population of the islands, including the floating population is around 16,109 inhabitants.

 GeologyThe islands were formed about 4 or 5 million years as a result of volcanic eruptions, emerging from the ocean surface. Today the Galapagos are considered one of the groups most active volcanoes in the world. Many of the islands are only the tips of some volcanoes and show an advanced state of erosion, others are completely submerged. Recent eruptions like Fernandina Marchena in 1991 or in 2005, are evidence that the islands are constantly being formed. Other islands like Baltra and North Seymour, have evidence of having been formed by tectonic movements in the ocean floor was pushed to the surface.

ConservationThe Galapagos Islands archipelago form the most diverse and complex world in which the conditions remain relatively intact. Because of its distance to the mainland and the fact that this was never attached to the existing flora and fauna evolved dramatically until they are now and have remained unchanged until the man came to them first. The species of plants and animals typical of the islands had no predators for thousands of years of evolution, for which animals show no fear in the presence of humans and other animals. This makes the Galapagos a very special and fascinating and so interesting to science, tourism and photography, where visitors can have an experience with nature that will not forget in his life.But while this same feature makes your balance is so delicate and fragile, and therefore their management is essential in controlling the introduction and spread of alien species, and strict control of tourism and other human activities, such as fishing. The institution responsible for the management and protection of the islands and Marine Reserve is the Galapagos National Park, in collaboration with other entities such as the Charles Darwin Foundation.The wildlife consists mainly of birds, mammals and reptiles. In the Galapagos

there are no amphibians. Its rich marine life makes these islands a unique place and so now has the reputation as the most important dive destination in the world. At present, the animals introduced by settlers for some years, such as goats, pigs, donkeys, dogs, cats and rats, which, having no competitors have expanded to become one of the main problems for the conservation of wildlife the islands. The same is true in the case of plants, so that the institutions involved in conservation are also responsible for control and eradication of plants and animals.

ClimateDespite being in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands do not have a humid and hot as other equatorial regions, being in a dry area of the Pacific, where temperatures are kept low by the influence of the cold Humboldt current, which comes from the Antarctic. This particular phenomenon of cooling air along the southeast trade winds and sometimes the influence of the Child, produced two seasons throughout the year. The "rainy" season from January to May, is characterized by warm temperatures between 23 and 27 ° C and sunny days. The ocean is warmer and less moved, with better visibility underwater. This station can have periods of rain, which is usually low, but may be years with excessive rainfall, such as those caused by El Niño.The cold season from June to December, with temperatures dropping to 19 ° C or less, is caused mainly by the cold Humboldt current, which comes strongly from the north coast of Peru. The cold water lowers the temperature of the air, bringing a rough wind with low water and overcast skies. The cold season is usually dry, but in the highlands mist is present, which always keeps them moist. This results in large islands with altitudes higher than 500m, they are up to 7 zones of vegetation, each with its own microclimate. This current also brings lots of plankton, which, together with cold water, causing a significant increase in marine life, which increases the activity of land animals, especially birds, thus enhancing their reproduction.

Human History

On March 10, 1535, Fray Tomas de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama, while traveling to Peru due accidentally swerved off the beaten track and discovered the islands, where they stopped for water and food. This is considered the official discovery of the archipelago.In the year 1570 appears Galapagos for the first time on a world map with the title "Insulae of Galopegos". Towards the years 1593 - 1710 becomes refuge and center of operations and supply British and American pirates, who used the giant tortoises for food. By this time, about the year 1684, the pirate William Ambrose Cowley made the first map of the islands, using names of English royalty. Then came whalers and sealers American and English and used them as food supply, endangering the populations of giant tortoises, the capture of hundreds of thousands and also decimating the populations of seals and sea lions. On February 12, 1832 Colonel Ignacio Hernandez took official possession of the islands Floreana and called on behalf of Ecuador, calling them "Archipelago of Ecuador" and giving Spanish names. Three

years later comes the scientist Charles Darwin aboard HMS Beagle, who remained in the archipelago for five weeks, from September 15 to October 20, 1835. During this period the young scientist visited the islands of San Cristobal, Santiago, Floreana and Isabela. Their observations and notes on the fauna and flora of the islands helped him formulate his theory of evolution of species and in 1859 published his famous book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.In 1892 Galapagos gives the official name of "Archipelago de Colon" and the islands are given names related to the discovery of America, which is why some islands have come to have five different names. During World War II American forces occupied the islands and built a naval air base and in Baltra, where they remained until 1948. On July 4, 1959, the Government declared a National Park Galapagos all areas that are not settled, setting limits. On 23 July the same year, he created the Charles Darwin Foundation and Research Station was inaugurated the same name in 1964. In 1978 the UNESCO declared the Galapagos "Natural Heritage of Humanity".During the 60's tourism starts on a larger scale, and with it the increasing population on the islands. Until 1998, this increase was estimated at 8% per year, which caused strong pressures on natural resources, increased the risk of introducing nonnative species and created problems related to land, basic services and food requirements. Today, with the creation of the "Special Law for the Conservation and Sustainable Development of Galapagos Province" and then signing the general rules applicable to the same law, is expected to end the threats facing most the park.MarinReserve.

DialogueWhy would i want to know is the Galapagos islands as part of our country and also tourists visiting these beautiful islands give your views and is very good, say that there are very exotic animals that are not in any other side of the world.our country is rich in wildlife that we appreciate Ecuador and how not care, but my greatest dream is to know these islands so beautiful.As a tourist attraction, Galapagos can hardly be surpassed. with its prehistoric-looking animals, the wildness of the landscape, it's bloody history, the exotic flora and fauna, have given reason hundreds of people to visit this place very beautiful.Nothing more attractive than this suggestive letterhead to create the "need" for people to see him, but tourism to the Galapagos is a special tourism, leisure and entertainment no, no large hotels, crowded beaches of caberets and casinos, but on the contrary, on a visit to the islands, to admire nature in its original splendor, to experience for a moment my life so simple but yet so peaceful and more humane than that daily harasses the poor inhabitant.