The islands are known for their famously fearless wildlife and as a source of inspiration for Darwin’s theory of evolution. And that’s just part of the story. Born of fire: The Galápagos Archipelago is one the most volcanically active areas in the world.
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What is so special about the Galapagos Islands?
The Galápagos Islands are a chain of islands, or archipelago, in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They are part of the country of Ecuador, in South America.The Galápagos are best known for their diverse array of plant and animal species. Many species are endemic, which means they are not found anywhere else in the world.
What attracts tourists to the Galapagos Islands?
Many visitors to the Galapagos Islands are attracted to the archipelago by its unique wildlife and stunning landscapes.Giant tortoises, iguanas and Galapagos penguins are very popular species to spot and the wealth of birdlife also make the Islands a hotspot for ornithologists.
Why should I visit the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands are known for their white-sand beaches where you can lounge on the shore or take a dip in the warm, turquoise water.One of the important reasons to visit the Galapagos Islands is that the number of visitors on the archipelago is also restricted, making it easy to avoid crowds during each season.
What are 5 interesting facts about Ecuador?
Ecuador Facts: 10 Fascinating Things You Didn’t Know
- Ecuador means “equator” in Spanish.
- Yasuni Park is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet.
- The Galapagos Islands inspired the Theory of Evolution.
- Chocolate has a long history in Ecuador.
- Ecuador is where to find orchid flowers.
Who discovered Galapagos?
Fray Tomás de Berlanga
In 1535, the Islands were officially discovered by Fray Tomás de Berlanga (the Bishop of Panama at the time). He was ordered to sail to Peru by Charles V to provide a report on activities there. He set sail from Panama on 23 February 1535. The strong ocean current carried him out to the Galapagos Islands.
Do humans live on the Galapagos Islands?
Where do people live in Galapagos and how is the population growing? Only four of the archipelago’s thirteen major islands have human populations: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana.
What does the word Galapagos mean?
tortoise
: tortoise specifically : one of the very large land tortoises of the Galápagos islands.
Is Galapagos Islands safe?
Is the Galapagos Safe To Visit? The Galapagos is an extremely safe travel destination. very little crime occurs in the islands and because tourism plays an important role in the economy of the islands and the Galapagos National Park, strict rules are in place when it comes to migrating to the islands.
Who owns the Galapagos Islands?
Ecuador
2. Who Owns the Galapagos Islands? Similar to the way that the Hawaiian Islands are a part of the United States, the Galapagos Islands are a part of the neighboring country of Ecuador, located in South America.
Can you drink the water in the Galapagos?
5. Can I drink tap water in the Galapagos Islands?All the tap water in Santa Cruz, Isabela or Fernandina, for example, is only desalinated but not purified. As soon as you land there, the guide normally will recommend you to even brush your teeth with bottled water.
What does the word Ecuador mean?
The country’s name means “Equator” in Spanish, truncated from the Spanish official name, República del Ecuador ( lit. “Republic of the Equator”), derived from the former Ecuador Department of Gran Colombia established in 1824 as a division of the former territory of the Royal Audience of Quito.
What country is closest to outer space?
1. Ecuador is the closest country to space. You might think the closest point on Earth to space would be Mount Everest, but you’d be wrong.
Why is Ecuador called Ecuador?
Ecuador is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere.The high Andes Mountains form the backbone of the country.
What country is named after the equator?
Ecuador
The equator passes through three countries in South America yet only Ecuador is named after it.
What country is closest to the Galapagos Islands?
The islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, 973 km (605 mi) off the west coast of South America. The closest land mass is that of mainland Ecuador, the country to which they belong, 926 km (500 nmi) to the east.
Did Charles Darwin discover the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands accidental discovery: How did it affect Darwin’s thoughts.The year was 1835 and Darwin was 26 years old. His discoveries on the islands were paramount to the development of his Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. On the islands, Charles Darwin discovered several species of finches.
Did Columbus go to the Galapagos Islands?
PART 6: EARLY HISTORY The discovery of the Americas by Columbus in 1493 was significant in the rich and varied history of the Galapagos Islands. In 1493, with the knowledge of the New World to the west, the Spanish Pope Alexander the VI granted to Spain the entire western hemisphere.
What language do they speak in the Galapagos Islands?
Spanish
The official language of the Galapagos Islands is Spanish. However due to the recent upswing in tourism, the Galapagos Islands have become one of the most multilingual destinations in South America, with guides, hoteliers, and other islanders fluent in Spanish, English, German, and French, among other languages too.
What is wrong with the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands face many environmental threats. Ecosystem degradation could be caused by: climate change, deforestation, pollution, overfishing, eutrophication and the introduction of invasive species.
Who are the most famous residents of the Galapagos?
Historical Figures
- Tomas de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama: The Discoverer of Galapagos (1535)
- William Dampier: Pirates Ahoy!
- Charles Darwin: Revolutionary Encounters (1835)
- Herman Melville: Galapagos Musings (1841)
- Bo Derek (2007)
- Richard Gere (2009)
- Russel Crowe & Paul Bettany (2003)
