Galapagos islands, Ecuador: archipelago straddling the Equator!

These islands lie in the Pacific Ocean and belong to Ecuador. They are 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. It is an archipelago that has formed from volcanic lava cooling. 

The Galapagos islands straddle the Equator. These islands have a diverse wildlife. The plants, birds, and animals are unique and many are not found anywhere else in the world. It is said that Charles Darwin had visited this place in 1835. It was, after this visit that his theory of evolution came into existence. 

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The total area is 8010 square kms spread over 45000 square kms of ocean. It houses the Galapagos National Park and also Galapagos Marine Reserve. It is listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. These islands were discovered by Fray Tomas de Berlanga who was the Bishop of Panama. It was a chance discovery when the Bishop was on his way via the sea to Peru to settle a dispute. The distance betel the two nations is around 2080 kms and these islands were in between on the sea voyage. 

Galapagos islands (Source: Wikipedia) 

Abraham Ortelius put it up in his map in 1570. Later Buccaneer Ambrose Cowley visited these islands and named them in 1684. There were no inhabitants at that time on it. The wildlife amazed the voyagers leading Charles Darwin to also visit it. In 1832, Spanish ownership of the islands was passed on to the new Republic of Ecuador. The three populated islands are San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz and Isabela. Isabela is the largest areawise (5800 square kilometers). It has Volcan Wolf on it that has a height of 1707 m above sea level. Isabela and Fernandina are the youngest islands. Sierra Negra is another active volcano on Isabela island. 

Climate of Galapagos islands 

Though near the Equator, the weather is not hot. From June to November, it is cooler with average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. Rains and drizzles with gusty winds occur. Fog is common. From December to May is their warm days with average of 25 degrees Celsius. There is drier weather with less rains. Winds are less. 

Tortoises on Galapagos islands (Source: Fish subsidy) 

People 

There is a mixed population here. Spanish colonists and native Americans from Ecuador are the main people on it. As per 2010 census there are 25000 people living on these islands. It has grown from 3488 in 1972. Besides San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Baltra and Florena are inhabited. Baltra has the Seymour airport and one can travel to it and San Cristobal islands only. 

Main Street and houses of San Cristobal, Galapagos islands (Source: Wikipedia)