THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
A journey to the Galapagos Islands will not disappoint.
The islands are world known for their vast number
of endemic species along with their interesting
volcanic geology that continues to be discovered
by travelers, scientists, and nature-lovers today.
Here you can uncover natures wonders by snorkeling
with penguins
and sea-lions;
encountering the powerful hammerhead
shark; watching giant 200 kg tortoises
lum¬ber through cactus
forest; and experiencing the courtship display
of the blue-footed
booby and the magnificent frigate
bird all at an arms length away.
Lying on the Equator, 970 km west of the Ecuadorian
coast, the Galapagos consist of six main islands
(San
Cristobal, Santa
Cruz, Isabela,
Floreana,
Santiago
and Fernandina),
12 smaller islands (Baltra,
Santa Fe, Pinzon, Espanola, Rabida, Daphne,
Seymour,
Genovesa,
Marchena,
Pinta,
Darwin
and Wolf),
and over 40 islets. The islands have a total popu¬lation
of over 17,000 with an annual growth rate around
12% due to immigration. The largest island, Isabela
(formerly Albemarle) is 120 km long and forms
half the total land area of the archipelago. Its
notorious convict colony was closed in 1958. Nearly
1,500 people live on Isabela
near Puerto
Villamil. San
Cristobal ( Chatham ) has a population of
5,700 and holds the capital of the archipelago,
Puerto
Baquerizo Moreno. Santa
Cruz (Indefatigable) has a population of 10,000
with Puerto Ayora being the main tourist center.
The islands are widely scattered and the journey
by boat between Puerto
Baquerizo Moreno and Puerto
Ayora is six hours.
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