Galápagos Islands: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
[pending revision][pending revision]
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m Reverted edits by 75.158.81.233 to last version by Bogey97 (HG)
←Blanked the page
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Redirect|Galápagos}}
[[Image:Flag of the Galápagos Islands.svg|thumb|Flag of Galapagos]]
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
| WHS = Galápagos Islands
| Image = [[Image:Galapagos Island Names.svg|250px|Map of the Galápagos archipelago showing the names of the islands.]]
| State Party = {{ECU}}
| Type = Natural
| Criteria = vii, viii, ix, x
| ID = 1
| Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in the Americas|Latin America and the Caribbean]]
| Year = 1978
| Session = 2nd
| Extension = 2001 and 2003
| Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1
}}
[[Image:Orthographic projection centred over the Galapagos.png|thumb|Orthographic projection centred over the Galápagos.]]
The '''Galápagos Islands''' (Official name: Archipiélago de Colón; other Spanish names: ''Islas de Colón'' or ''Islas Galápagos'', from ''galápago'', "saddle"—after the shells of saddlebacked [[Galápagos tortoise]]s) are an [[archipelago]] of [[Island#Volcanic islands|volcanic islands]] distributed around the [[equator]], 972 km west of continental [[Ecuador]] in the [[Pacific Ocean]]{{coord|0|40|S|90|33|W|scale:1400000|display=title}}.

The Galápagos archipelago has a population of around 40,000, is a [[Galápagos Province|province]] of [[Ecuador]], a country in northwestern [[South America]], and the islands are all part of Ecuador's national park system. The principal language on the islands is [[Spanish language|Spanish]].

The islands are famed for their vast number of [[endemic species]] and the studies by [[Charles Darwin]] during [[Second voyage of HMS Beagle|the voyage of the ''Beagle'']] that contributed to the [[inception of Darwin's theory]] of [[evolution]] by [[natural selection]].

==Etymology==
The archipelago has been known by many different names, including the "Enchanted Islands," because of the way in which the strong and swift [[Ocean current|currents]] made [[Seamanship|navigation]] difficult and also because of the beautiful geography and biodiversity. The first crude [[nautical chart|navigation chart]] of the islands was done by the [[buccaneer]] [[Ambrose Cowley]] in 1684. He named the islands after some of his fellow [[pirate]]s or after the [[English people|English]] noblemen who helped the pirates' cause. More recently, the Ecuadorian government gave most of the islands Spanish names. While the Spanish names are official, many users (especially [[ecology|ecological]] researchers) continue to use the older English names, particularly as those were the names used when [[Charles Darwin]] visited.

"Galapago" is an old Spanish word, meaning saddle. The large Galapagos Tortoises on some of the islands had a shell that resembled an old Spanish saddle, thus the name. The tortoise is a unique animal found only in the Galapagos Islands, yet there are no more than 200 in the 13 main islands.

==Physical geography==
[[Image:Galapagos-satellite-esislandnames.jpg|thumb|Satellite photo of the Galápagos islands overlayed with the names of the visible main islands.]]

Located in the eastern [[Pacific Ocean]] at 972 km off the west coast of [[South America]]. The closest land mass is the mainland of [[Ecuador]] to the east (the country to which they belong), to the North is [[Cocos Island]] 720 km and to the South is [[Easter Island]] and San Felix Island at 3200 km.

The islands are found at the coordinates 1°40'N-1°36'S, 89°16'-92°01'W. Straddling the equator, islands in the chain are located in both the northern and southern hemisphere with Volcan Wolf and Volcano Ecuador on Isla [[Isabela Island (Ecuador)|Isabela]] being directly on the equator line. [[Española Island|Española]] the southernmost island and [[Darwin Island|Darwin]] the northernmost island are spread out over a distance of 220 km.

The Galapagos Archipelago consists of 7880 square km of land over 45,000 square km. The largest of the islands, [[Isabela Island (Ecuador)|Isabela]], measures 4,588 square km and making up half of the total land area of the Galapagos. Volcan Wolf, on Isabela is the highest point with an elevation of 1,707 m above sea level.
[[Image:Galapagos SPOT 1178.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Isabela seen from Spot Satellite]]
The group consists of 13 main islands, 6 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and [[islet]]s. The islands are located at the [[Galapagos Triple Junction]]. It is also atop the [[Galapagos hotspot]], a place where the earth's crust is being melted from below by a [[mantle plume]], creating volcanoes. The oldest island is thought to have formed between 5 and 10 million years ago. The youngest islands, [[Isabela Island (Ecuador)|Isabela]] and [[Fernandina Island|Fernandina]], are still being formed, with the most recent [[volcanic eruption]] in May, 2008 when the 5,541-feet- (1,690-metre-) high Cerro Azul mountain started spewing lava after 10 years of inactivity on the island of Isabela.

===Main islands===
The main islands of the archipelago (with their [[English language|English]] names) shown alphabetically:

'''[[Baltra Island|Baltra (South Seymour) Island]]:''' Also known as South Seymour, Baltra is a small flat island located near the center of the Galapagos. It was created by Geological uplift. The island is very arid and vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees.

During World War II Baltra was established as a US Air Force Base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the Pacific for enemy submarines as well as providing protection for the Panama Canal. After the war the facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues as an official Ecuadorian military base. The foundations and other remains of the US base can still be seen as you cross the island.

Until 1986, Baltra Airport was the only airport serving the Galápagos. Now there are two airports which receive flights from the continent, the other located on [[San Cristóbal Island]]. Private planes flying to Galapagos must fly to Baltra as it is the only airport with facilities for planes overnight.

Arriving into Baltra all visitors are immediately transported by bus to one of two docks. The first dock is located in a small bay where the boats cruising Galapagos await passengers. The second is a ferry dock which connects Baltra to the island of Santa Cruz.

During the 1940s scientists decided to move 70 of Baltra's Land Iguanas to the neighboring [[North Seymour Island]] as part of an experiment. This move had unexpected results for during the military occupation of Baltra in World War II, the native iguanas became extinct on the island. During the 1980s iguanas from North Seymour were brought to the [[Charles Darwin Research Station]] as part of a breeding and repopulation project and in the 1990s land iguanas were reintroduced to Baltra. As of 1997 scientists counted 97 iguanas living on Baltra 13 of which were born on the islands.

In 2007 and 2008 the Baltra airport is being remodeled to include additional restaurants, shops and an improved visitor area.

'''[[Bartolomé Island|Bartolomé (Bartholomew) Island]]:''' Bartolomé Island is a volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island in the Galápagos Islands Group. It is one of the "younger" islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It is named after Lieutenant David Bartholomew of the British Navy.

'''[[Darwin Island|Darwin (Culpepper) Island]]:''' This island is named after Charles Darwin. It has an area of 1.1 [[square kilometre]]s (0.4 [[square mile|sq mi]]) and a maximum altitude of 168 metres (551 ft). Here fur seals, frigates, [[Marine iguanas]], Swallow-tailed Gulls, sea lions, whales, marine turtles, Red-footed and Nazca boobies can be seen.

[[Image:Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) -Espanola -Punta Suarez3.jpg|thumb|[[Waved Albatross]]es on Española]]
'''[[Española Island|Española (Hood) Island]]:''' Its name was given in honor of [[Spain]]. It also is known as Hood after an English nobleman. It has an area of 60 square kilometres (23 sq mi) and a maximum altitude of 206 metres (676 ft).

Española is the oldest island at around 3.5 million years and the southernmost in the chain. The island's remote location has a large number of endemic [[Fauna (animals)|fauna]]. Secluded from the other islands, wildlife on Española adapted to the island's environment and natural resources. [[Marine Iguana|Marine iguanas]] on Española are the only ones that change color during breeding season.

The [[Waved Albatross]] is found on the island. The island's steep cliffs serve as the perfect runways for these large birds which take off for their ocean feeding grounds near the mainland of Ecuador and Peru.

Española has two visitor sites. Gardner Bay is a swimming and snorkeling site as well as offering a great beach. Punta Suarez has migrant, resident, and endemic wildlife including brightly colored [[Marine Iguana]], Española Lava Lizards, [[Hood Mockingbird]]s, [[Swallow-tailed Gull]]s, [[Blue-footed Booby]],[[Red-Footed Booby]] and [[Nazca Booby|Nazca Boobies]], Galápagos Hawks, a selection of Finch, and the [[Waved Albatross]].

'''[[Fernandina Island|Fernandina (Narborough) Island]]:''' The name was given in honor of King Ferdinand II of Aragon, who sponsored the voyage of Columbus. Fernandina has an area of 642 square kilometres (248 sq mi) and a maximum altitude of 1,494 metres (4,902 ft). This is the youngest and westernmost island. In May 13, 2005, a new very eruptive process began on this island when an ash and water vapour cloud rose to a height of 7 kilometers (4.4 mi) and lava flows descended the slopes of the volcano on the way to the sea. Punta Espinosa is a narrow stretch of land where hundreds of Marine Iguanas gather largely on black lava rocks. The famous [[Flightless Cormorant]] inhabits this island and also [[Galápagos Penguin]]s, [[Pelican]]s and Sea Lions are abundant. Different types of [[lava flow]]s can be compared and the [[Mangrove]] Forests can be observed.

'''[[Floreana Island|Floreana (Charles or Santa María) Island]]:''' It was named after [[Juan José Flores]], the first [[president]] of [[Ecuador]], during whose administration the government of Ecuador took possession of the archipelago. It is also called [[Santa Maria (ship)|Santa Maria]] after one of the [[caravel]]s of Columbus. It has an area of 173 square kilometres (66.8&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 640&nbsp;metres (2,100&nbsp;ft). It is one of the islands with the most interesting human history and one of the earliest to be inhabited. Pink [[flamingo]]s and green sea turtles nest (December to May) in this island. The "patapegada" or [[Dark-rumped Petrel|Galápagos petrel]] is found here, a sea bird which spends most of its life away from land. At Post Office Bay, since the [[18th century|18<sup>th</sup> century]] [[Whaling|whalers]] kept a [[Barrel (storage)|wooden barrel]] that served as [[post office]] so that mail could be picked up and delivered to their destination mainly [[Europe]] and the [[United States]] by ships on their way home. At the “Devil's Crown”, an underwater [[volcanic cone]], [[coral]] formations are found.

'''[[Genovesa Island|Genovesa (Tower) Island]]:''' The name is derived from [[Genoa]], [[Italy]] where it is said [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]] was born. It has an area of 14 square kilometres (5.4&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 76&nbsp;metres (249&nbsp;ft). This island is formed by the remaining edge of a large [[Impact crater|crater]] that is submerged. Its nickname of “the bird island” is clearly justified. At Darwin Bay, [[frigatebird]]s, [[Swallow-tailed Gull|swallow-tailed gulls]], which are the only nocturnal of its species in the world can be seen. Red-footed [[booby|boobies]], noddy [[tern]]s, lava gulls, tropic birds, [[dove]]s, [[storm petrel]]s and [[Darwin's finches|Darwin finches]] are also in sight. Prince Philip's <!-- which prince Philip? --> Steps is a bird-watching [[plateau]] with Nazca and red-footed boobies. There is a large Palo Santo forest.

[[Image:Galapagos iguana1.jpg|thumb|Galapagos Iguana]]
'''[[Isabela Island (Ecuador)|Isabela (Albemarle) Island (Ecuador)]]:''' This island was named in honor of Queen Isabela. With an area of 4,640 square kilometers (1,792&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi), it is the largest island of the Galápagos. Its highest point is Wolf Volcano with an altitude of 1,707&nbsp;meters (5,600&nbsp;ft). The island's [[seahorse]] shape is the product of the merging of six large volcanoes into a single landmass. On this island [[Galápagos Penguin]]s, [[Flightless Cormorant]]s, [[Marine Iguana]]s, [[pelican]]s and [[Grapsus grapsus|Sally Lightfoot crabs]] abound. At the skirts and calderas of the volcanos of Isabela, Land Iguanas and Galápagos Tortoises can be observed, as well as [[Darwin's finches|Darwin Finches]], Galápagos Hawks, Galápagos Doves and very interesting lowland vegetation. The third-largest human settlement of the archipelago, [[Puerto Villamil]], is located at the south-eastern tip of the island.

'''[[Marchena Island|Marchena (Bindloe) Island]]:''' Named after Fray Antonio Marchena. Has an area of 130 square kilometres (50&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 343&nbsp;metres (1,125&nbsp;ft).
[[Galápagos hawks]] and sea lions inhabit this island, and it is home to the Marchena Lava Lizard, an endemic animal.

'''[[Nameless Island]]:''' The small islet is used mostly for [[scuba diving]].

'''[[North Seymour Island]]:''' Its name was given after an English nobleman called Lord Hugh Seymour. It has an area of 1.9 square kilometres (0.7&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 28&nbsp;metres (92&nbsp;ft). This island is home to a large population of [[Blue-footed Booby|blue-footed boobies]] and [[Swallow-tailed Gull|swallow-tailed gulls]]. It hosts one of the largest populations of frigate birds. It was formed from geological uplift.

Just north of the [[Baltra Island|Baltra Airport]] is the small islet of North Seymour. North Seymour was created by seismic uplift rather than being of volcanic origin. The island has a flat profile with cliffs only a few meters from the shoreline, where swallowtail gulls and [[tropicbird]]s sit perched in ledges. A tiny forest of silver-grey [[Palo santo]]trees stand just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for rain to bring them into bloom. The island is teeming with life. Visiting the island you may have to give way to a passing sea lion or [[Marine Iguana|marine iguana]]. Flocks of pelicans and swallow tailed gulls feed off shore and seasonally masked boobies can also be seen.

North Seymour is an extraordinary place for breeding birds and is home to one of the largest populations of nesting blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds. Pairs of blue-footed boobies can be seen conducting their mating ritual as they offer each other gifts, whistle and honk, stretch their necks towards the sky, spread their wings, and dance--showing off their bright blue feet. [[frigatebirds|Magnificent frigatebirds]] perch in low bushes, near the boobies, while watching over their large chicks. The frigates are huge, dark acrobats with a {{convert|90|in|m|sing=on}} wingspan. Male frigates can puff up their scarlet throat sacks to resemble a giant red balloon. Boobies and frigates have an interesting relationship. Boobies are excellent hunters and fish in flocks. The frigates by comparison are pirates, they dive bomb the boobies to force them to drop their prey. Then the acrobatic frigate swoops down and picks up the food before it hits the water.

'''[[Pinzón Island|Pinzón (Duncan) Island]]:''' Named after the Pinzón brothers, captains of the Pinta and Niña caravels. Has an area of 18 square kilometers (7&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 458&nbsp;metres (1,503&nbsp;ft). Sea lions, [[Galápagos hawk]]s, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and dolphins can be seen here. The Pinta island was home to the last remaining Pinta Tortoise, called Lonesome George. He does not actually live on Pinta Island any longer, he is at a research facility

'''[[Rábida Island|Rábida (Jervis) Island]]:''' It bears the name of the convent of Rábida where Columbus left his son during his voyage to the Americas. Has an area of 4.9 square kilometres (1.9&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 367&nbsp;metres (1,204&nbsp;ft). The high amount of iron contained in the lava at Rábida gives it a distinctive red color. White-Cheeked Pintail Ducks live in a salt-water lagoon close to the beach, where brown pelicans and boobies have built their nests. Up until recently, flamingos were also found in the salt-water lagoon, but they have since moved on to other islands, likely due to a lack of food on Rábida. Nine species of Finches have been reported in this island.

[[Image:Galapagos2007--39--08-22-07.JPG|thumb|Main Street]]

'''[[San Cristóbal Island|San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island]]:''' It bears the name of the Patron Saint of seafarers, "[[St. Christopher]]". Its [[English language|English]] name was given after [[William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham]]. It has an area of 558 square kilometres (215&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and its highest point rises to 730&nbsp;metres (2395&nbsp;ft). This islands hosts [[Frigatebird|frigate birds]], [[sea lion]]s, giant tortoises, [[Blue-footed Booby|blue]] and red footed [[booby|boobies]], tropicbirds, [[marine iguana]]s, [[dolphin]]s, swallow-tailed [[gull]]s. Its vegetation includes ''Calandrinia galapagos'', ''Lecocarpus darwinii'', and trees such as ''Lignum vitae''.The largest fresh water [[lake]] in the archipelago, Laguna El Junco, is located in the [[Highland (geography)|highland]]s of San Cristóbal. The capital of the province of Galápagos, [[Puerto Baquerizo Moreno]], lies at the southern tip of the island.

'''[[Santa Cruz Island (Galápagos)|Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Island (Galápagos)]]:''' Given the name of the Holy Cross in Spanish, its English name derives from the British vessel HMS ''Indefatigable''. It has an area of 986 square kilometres (381&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 864&nbsp;metres (2834&nbsp;ft). Santa Cruz is the island that hosts the largest human population in the archipelago at the town of [[Puerto Ayora]]. The [[Charles Darwin Research Station]] and the headquarters of the Galápagos National Park Service are located here. The GNPS and CDRS operate a tortoise breeding center here, where young tortoises are hatched, reared, and prepared to be reintroduced to their natural [[Habitat (ecology)|habitat]]. The Highlands of Santa Cruz offer an exuberant vegetation and are famous for the lava tunnels. Large tortoise populations are found here. Black Turtle Cove is a site surrounded by mangrove which sea turtles, rays and small sharks sometimes use as a mating area. Cerro Dragón, known for its flamingo lagoon, is also located here, and along the trail one may see land iguanas foraging

'''[[Santa Fe Island|Santa Fe (Barrington) Island]]:''' Named after a city in [[Spain]], has an area of 24 square kilometres (9&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 259&nbsp;metres (850&nbsp;ft). Santa Fe hosts a [[forest]] of [[Opuntia]] [[cactus]], which are the largest of the archipelago, and Palo Santo. Weathered [[cliff]]s provide a haven for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, [[Shearwater|shear-waters petrels]]. Santa Fe species of [[Galapagos Land Iguana]]s are often seen, as well as [[lava lizard]]s.

'''[[Santiago Island (Galápagos)|Santiago (San Salvador, James) Island (Galápagos)]]:''' Its name is equivalent to Saint James in English; it is also known as San Salvador, after the first island discovered by Columbus in the Caribbean Sea. This island has an area of 585 square kilometers (226&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 907&nbsp;metres (2976&nbsp;ft). Marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, [[flamingo]]s, dolphins and sharks are found here. [[Pig]]s and [[goat]]s, which were introduced by humans to the islands and have caused great harm to the endemic species, have been eradicated (pigs in 2002; goat eradication is nearing finalization). [[Darwin's finches|Darwin Finches]] and Galápagos Hawks are usually seen as well as a colony of Fur Seals. At Sullivan Bay a recent (around 100&nbsp;years ago) [[Lava|pahoehoe lava flow]] can be observed.

'''[[South Plaza Island]]:''' It is named in honor of a former president of Ecuador, General [[Leonidas Plaza]]. It has an area of 0.13 square kilometers (0.05&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) and a maximum altitude of 23&nbsp;metres (75&nbsp;ft). The flora of South Plaza includes Opuntia cactua and Sesuvium plants, which forms a reddish carpet on top of the lava formations. Iguanas (land and marine and some hybrids of both species) are abundant and there are a large number of birds that can be observed from the cliffs at the southern part of the island, including tropic birds and swallow-tailed gulls.

'''[[Wolf Island|Wolf (Wenman) Island]]:''' This island was named after the German geologist [[Theodor Wolf]]. It has an area of 1.3 square kilometres (0.5&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)and a maximum altitude of 253&nbsp;metres (830&nbsp;ft). Here [[fur seal]]s, [[frigatebird]]s, [[masked booby|masked]] and [[red-footed boobies]], [[Marine Iguana]]s, [[shark]]s, [[whale]]s, [[dolphin]]s and [[swallow-tailed gull]]s can be seen. The most famous resident is the [[vampire finch]] which feeds on the blood of the [[Booby|boobies]] and is only found on this island.

===Minor islands===

{{main|Daphne Major}}

A small island directly north of Santa Cruz and directly west of Baltra, this very inaccessible island appears, though unnamed, on Ambrose Cowley's 1684 chart. It is important as the location of multi-decade finch population studies by [[Peter and Rosemary Grant]].

==Weather==

Although located on the Equator, the [[Humboldt Current]] brings cold water to the islands, causing frequent drizzles during most of the year. The weather is periodically influenced by the [[El Niño]] phenomenon which brings warmer temperatures and heavy rains.

During the season known as the "Garua" (June to November) the temperature by the sea is 22°C, a steady and cold wind blows from South and Southeast, and frequent drizzles (Garuas) last most of the day, along with dense fog which conceals the islands. During the warm season (December to May) the average sea and air temperature rises to 25°C, there is no wind at all, there are sporadic though strong rains and the sun shines.

Weather changes as altitude increases in the large islands. Temperature decreases gradually with altitude, while precipitation increases due to the condensation of moisture in clouds on the slopes. There is a large variation in precipitation from one place to another, not only with altitude but also depending on the location of the islands, and also with the seasons.

The following table corresponding to the wet 1969 shows the variation of precipitation in different places of Santa Cruz Island:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Location
! Charles Darwin<br/>Station
! Devine Farm
! Media Luna
|-
! Altitude
! 6 m
! 320 m
! 620 m
|-
| January
| 23.0&nbsp;mm
| 78.0&nbsp;mm
| 172.6&nbsp;mm
|-
| February
| 16.8&nbsp;mm
| 155.2&nbsp;mm
| 117.0&nbsp;mm
|-
| March
| 249.0&nbsp;mm
| 920.8&nbsp;mm
| 666.7&nbsp;mm
|-
| April
| 68.5&nbsp;mm
| 79.5&nbsp;mm
| 166.4&nbsp;mm
|-
| May
| 31.4&nbsp;mm
| 214.6&nbsp;mm
| 309.8&nbsp;mm
|-
| June
| 16.8&nbsp;mm
| 147.3&nbsp;mm
| 271.8&nbsp;mm
|-
| July
| 12.0&nbsp;mm
| 42.2&nbsp;mm
| 135.6&nbsp;mm
|-
| August
| 3.8&nbsp;mm
| 13.7&nbsp;mm
| 89.5&nbsp;mm
|-
| September
| 18.5&nbsp;mm
| 90.9&nbsp;mm
| 282.6&nbsp;mm
|-
| October
| 3.2&nbsp;mm
| 22.6&nbsp;mm
| 96.5&nbsp;mm
|-
| November
| 11.0&nbsp;mm
| 52.8&nbsp;mm
| 172.7&nbsp;mm
|-
| December
| 15.7&nbsp;mm
| 84.1&nbsp;mm
| 175.3&nbsp;mm
|-
| colspan="4" |
|-
| TOTALS
| 469.7&nbsp;mm
| 1901.7&nbsp;mm
| 2656.4&nbsp;mm
|}

The precipitation also depends on the geographical location. During March 1969 the precipitation over Charles Darwin Station, on the southern coast of Santa Cruz was 249.0&nbsp;mm, while on Baltra Island the precipitation during the same month was only 137.6&nbsp;mm. This is due to the fact that Baltra is located behind Santa Cruz with respect to the prevailing southerly winds, so most of the moisture gets precipitated in the Santa Cruz highlands.

There are significant changes in precipitation from one year to another too. At Charles Darwin Station the precipitation during March 1969 was 249.0&nbsp;mm, but during March 1970 it was only 1.2&nbsp;mm.

==History==
European discovery of the Galápagos Islands occurred when Dominican [[Fray Tomás de Berlanga]], the fourth Bishop of [[Panama]], sailed to [[Peru]] to settle a dispute between [[Francisco Pizarro]] and his lieutenants. De Berlanga's vessel drifted off course when the winds diminished, and his party reached the islands on [[March 10]], [[1535]]. According to a 1952 study by [[Thor Heyerdahl]] and Arne Skjølsvold, remains of potshards and other artifacts from several sites on the islands suggest visitation by South American peoples prior to the arrival of the Spanish.

The islands first appeared on maps in about 1570 in those drawn by [[Abraham Ortelius]] and [[Gerardus Mercator|Mercator]]. The islands were called "Insulae de los Galopegos" (Islands of the Tortoises).

The first English captain to visit the Galápagos Islands was [[Richard Hawkins]], in 1593. Until the early 19th century, the archipelago was often used as a hideout by mostly English pirates who pilfered Spanish [[galleon]]s carrying gold and silver from South America to Spain.

[[Alexander Selkirk]], whose adventures in [[Juan Fernández Islands]] inspired [[Daniel Defoe]] to write ''Robinson Crusoe'', visited the Galápagos in 1708 after he was picked up from Juan Fernández by the privateer [[Woodes Rogers]]. Rogers was refitting his ships in the islands after sacking [[Guayaquil]].

The first scientific mission to the Galápagos arrived in 1790 under the leadership of [[Alessandro Malaspina]], a Sicilian captain whose expedition was sponsored by the King of Spain. However, the records of the expedition were lost.

In 1793, James Colnett made a description of the flora and fauna of Galápagos and suggested that the islands could be used as base for the [[whaling|whalers]] operating in the Pacific Ocean. He also drew the first accurate navigation charts of the islands. Whalers killed and captured thousands of the Galápagos tortoises to extract their fat. The tortoises could also be kept on board ship as a means of providing of fresh protein as these animals could survive for several months on board without any food or water. The hunting of the tortoises was responsible for greatly diminishing, and in some cases eliminating, certain species. Along with whalers came the fur-seal hunters who brought the population of this animal close to extinction.

[[Ecuador]] annexed the Galápagos Islands on [[February 12]], [[1832]], naming it Archipelago of Ecuador. This was a new name that added to several names that had been, and are still, used to refer to the archipelago. The first governor of Galápagos, General José de Villamil, brought a group of convicts to populate the island of Floreana and in October 1832 some artisans and farmers joined.

[[Second voyage of HMS Beagle|The voyage of the ''Beagle'']] brought the survey ship [[HMS Beagle|HMS ''Beagle'']] under captain [[Robert FitzRoy]] to the Galápagos on [[September 15]], [[1835]] to survey approaches to harbors. The captain and others on board including his companion the young naturalist [[Charles Darwin]] made a scientific study of geology and biology on four of the thirteen islands before they left on [[October 20]] to continue on their round-the-world expedition. Darwin noticed that [[mockingbird]]s differed between islands, though he thought the birds now known as [[Darwin's finches]] were unrelated to each other and did not bother labelling them by island.<ref name=Confessions>{{cite web |url=http://www.vqronline.org/articles/2006/spring/eldredge-confessions-darwinist/ |title=VQR - Confessions of a Darwinist |accessdate=2007-12-26 |author=Niles Eldredge |authorlink=Niles Eldredge |date= Spring 2006 |publisher=The Virginia Quarterly Review |pages=32–53 }}</ref> The governor of the prison colony on ''Charles Island'' told him that tortoises differed from island to island. Towards the end of the voyage Darwin speculated that the distribution of the mockingbirds and the tortoises might "undermine the stability of Species".<ref>Keynes, Richard ed. 2000. ''Charles Darwin's zoology notes & specimen lists from H.M.S. Beagle.'' Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?itemID=F1840&viewtype=text&pageseq=23 June – August 1836]</ref> When specimens of birds were analysed on his return to [[England]] it was found that many apparently different kinds of birds were species of [[finch]]es which were also unique to islands. These facts were crucial in Darwin's development of his theory of [[natural selection]] explaining [[evolution]], which was presented in ''[[The Origin of Species]]''.<ref name=Confessions/>

José Valdizán and Manuel Julián Cobos tried a new colonization, beginning the exploitation of a type of lichen found in the islands (Roccella portentosa) used as a coloring agent. After the assassination of Valdizán by some of his workers, Cobos brought from the continent a group of more than a hundred workers to San Cristóbal island and tried his luck at planting sugar cane. He ruled in his plantation with an iron hand which lead to his assassination in 1904. Since 1897 Antonio Gil began another plantation in Isabela island.

Over the course of a whole year, from September 1904, an expedition of the Academy of Sciences of California, led by Rollo Beck, stayed in the Galápagos collecting scientific material on [[geology]], [[entomology]], [[ornithology]], [[botany]], [[zoology]] and [[herpetology]]. Another expedition from that Academy was done in 1932 (Templeton Crocker Expedition) to collect [[insect]]s, [[fish]], [[animal shell|shells]], [[fossil]]s, birds and plants.

During [[World War II]] Ecuador authorized the United States to establish a naval base in Baltra island and radar stations in other strategic locations.

In 1946 a penal colony was established in Isabela Island, but it was suspended in 1959.

==Political geography==
{{main|Galápagos Province}}

'''Galápagos''' was made a [[province]] in [[Ecuador]] by presidential decree by [[President of Ecuador|President]] [[Guillermo Rodriguez Lara]] on Feb. 18th, 1973. This decree was amended on March 16th, 1973 to include the Isabela Canton.

The province is coincident with the [[Galápagos Islands]]. The capital is [[Puerto Baquerizo Moreno]]. The province is divided in 3 [[canton (subnational entity)|canton]]s.

'''San Cristobal Canton''' with capital in [[Puerto Baquerizo Moreno]]. It has the following parishes: '''Progreso''', with the following precincts: La Soledad, El Socavon, Tres Palos and El Chino, and '''Santa Maria Island''', with the town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. The following Islands are under the jurisdiction of this Canton: Española, Santa Fe and Genovesa.

'''Santa Cruz Canton''', with capital in [[Puerto Ayora]]. Its has the following parishes: '''Bellavista''', with the precincts El Occidente, El Carmen, Santa Rosa, and Saasaca. Under its jurisdiction are the following Islands: Santiago, Marchena, Pinta, Pinzon, Rabida and Baltra.

'''Isabela Island''', with capital in [[Puerto Villamil]], and the following parishes: '''Tomás de Berlanga''', with its precincts: Las Merceditas, San Antonio de los Tintos, Cerro Azul and Alemania. Under the jurisdiction of this Canton are the Islands of
Fernandina, Wolf and Darwin.

There is a Provincial Judge, as well as Cantonal Judges to in each Canton to deal with misdemeanor cases, as well as Laboral Judges. But for felonies punishable with prison, the province is under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Courts of the Province of Guayas in mainland Ecuador. The causes can be delivered without the use of an attorney. All of the sentences delivered by Provincial and Cantonal Judges can be appealed to the Superior Court of Justice of Guayas Province with seat in Guayaquil.

It is expressely stated that it is the duty of the Provincial authorities to protect the flora and fauna of the Province in coordination with competent organisms and authorities, both national and international.

This [[province]] is in the [[UTC]]-6 [[time zone]]. The [[continent]]al part of [[Ecuador]] is in the [[UTC]]-5 time zone.

==Demographics==
It is one of the few places in the world without an indigenous population. The largest ethnic group is comprised of Ecuadorian [[Mestizo]]s, the mixed descendants of Spanish colonists and indigenous Native Americans, who arrived mainly in the last century from the [[continent]]al part of [[Ecuador]].

In 1959, approximately 1,000 to 2,000&nbsp;people called the islands their home. In 1972 a census was done in the archipelago and a population of 3,488 was recorded. By the 1980s, this number had risen to more than 15,000&nbsp;people, and 2006 estimates place the population around 40,000&nbsp;people.

Five of the islands are inhabited: Baltra, Floreana, Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.

==Conservation==
{{Mergefrom|Wildlife of the Galápagos Islands|date=April 2008}}
[[Image:IguanaMarina.JPG|thumb|right|[[Marine Iguana]]]]
[[Image:Galapagos iguana.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Galápagos land iguanas]] are among the signature animals of the Galápagos islands.]]
[[Image:SulaNebouxi.jpg|thumb|right|[[Blue-footed Booby]]]]
[[Image:Waved albatross courtship.jpg|thumb|right|[[Waved Albatross]]es' famous courtship ritual]]
[[Image:3aff96be.jpg|thumbnail|Sea lions in the Galápagos are somewhat tame, but very curious.]]
Though the first protective legislation for the Galápagos was enacted in 1934 and supplemented in 1936, it was not until the late 1950s that positive action was taken to control what was happening to the native flora and fauna. In 1955, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature organized a fact-finding mission to the Galápagos. Two years later, in 1957, [[UNESCO]] in cooperation with the government of Ecuador sent another expedition to study the conservation situation and choose a site for a research station.

In 1959, the centenary year of [[Charles Darwin]]'s publication of ''[[The Origin of Species]]'', the Ecuadorian government declared 97.5% of the archipelago's land area a [[national park]], excepting areas already colonised. The [[Charles Darwin Foundation]] (CDF) was founded the same year. The core responsibility of CDF, an international non-governmental organization constituted in Belgium, is to conduct research and provide the research findings to the Government of Ecuador for effective management of Galapagos. CDF´s research efforts work began with the establishment of the [[Charles Darwin Research Station]] on Santa Cruz Island in 1964. During the early years conservation programs, such as eradication of introduced species and protection of native species, were carried out by research station personnel. Now much of that work is accomplished by the [[Galapagos National Park]] Service using the research findings and methodolgies developed by CDF.

In 1986 the surrounding 70,000 square kilometres (43,496 sq mi.) of ocean was declared a [[marine reserve]], second only in size to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. In 1990 the archipelago became a whale sanctuary. In 1978 [[UNESCO]] recognised the islands as a [[World Heritage Site]], and in 1985 a [[Biosphere Reserve]]. This was later extended in December 2001 to include the marine reserve.

Noteworthy species include:
* [[Galápagos land iguanas]], ''[[Conolophus]]'' spp.
* [[Marine Iguana]], ''Amblyrhynchus cristatus'', the only iguana feeding in the sea
* [[Galápagos tortoise]] (Galápagos Giant [[tortoise]]), ''Geochelone elephantopus'', known as Galápago in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], it gave the name to the islands
* [[Galápagos Green Turtle]], ''Chelonia mydas agassisi'', a subspecies of the [[Green Turtle]].
* [[Sea cucumber]]s, the cause of environmental battles with fishermen over [[Individual fishing quota|quota]]s of this expensive [[Asia]]n delicacy.
* [[Flightless Cormorant]], ''Phalacrocorax harrisi''
* [[Great Frigatebird]] and [[Magnificent Frigatebird]]
* [[Blue-footed Booby]], ''Sula nebouxii'', popular among visitors for their large blue feet which they show off in courtship
* [[Galápagos Penguin]], ''Spheniscus mendiculus'', the only living tropical [[penguin]]
* [[Waved Albatross]], ''Phoebastria irrorata'', the only living tropical [[albatross]]
* [[Galápagos Hawk]], ''Buteo galapagoensis'', the islands' main [[scavenger]] and "environmental police"
* 4 [[Endemic (ecology)|endemic]] species of [[Nesomimus|Galápagos mockingbirds]], the first species Darwin noticed to vary from island to island
* 13 endemic species of [[bunting]]s, popularly called [[Darwin's finches]]. Among them is the [[Sharp-beaked Ground-finch]] ''Geospiza difficilis septentrionalis'' which is sometimes called the "Vampire Finch" for its blood-sucking habits, and the tool-using [[Woodpecker Finch]], ''Camarhynchus pallidus''
* [[Galápagos Sea Lion]]s, ''Zalophus californianus'', closely related to the California Sea Lion, but smaller

===Environmental threats===
Introduced [[plant]]s and [[animal]]s, such as feral goats, cats, and cattle, brought accidentally or willingly to the islands by humans, represent the main threat to Galápagos. Quick to reproduce, these alien species decimate the habitats of native species. The native animals, lacking natural predators on the islands, are defenseless to introduced species and fall prey.

Some of the most harmful introduced plants are the Guayaba or [[Guava]] ''Psidium guajava'', [[avocado]] ''Persea americana'', [[cascarilla]] ''Cinchona pubescens'', [[balsa]] ''Ochroma pyramidale'', [[blackberry]] ''Rubus glaucus'', various [[citrus]] ([[Orange (fruit)|orange]], [[grapefruit]], [[lemon]]), [[floripondio]] ''Datura arborea'', [[higuerilla]] ''Ricinus communis'' and the [[elephant grass]] ''Pennisetum purpureum''. These plants have invaded large areas and eliminated endemic species in the humid zones of San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz. Also, these harmful plants are just a few of introduced species on the Galapagos Islands. There are over 700 introduced plant species today. There are only 500 native and endemic species. This difference is creating a major problem for the islands and the natural species that inhabit them.

Many species were introduced to the Galápagos by [[pirate]]s. [[Thor Heyerdahl]] quotes documents that mention that the Viceroy of [[Peru]], knowing that British pirates ate the goats that they themselves had released in the islands, ordered dogs to be freed there to eliminate the goats. Also, when colonization of Floreana by José de Villamil failed, he ordered that the goats, donkeys, cows, and other animals from the farms in Floreana be transferred to other islands for the purpose of later colonization.

Non-native goats, pigs, dogs, rats, cats, mice, sheep, horses, donkeys, cows, poultry, ants, cockroaches, and some parasites inhabit the islands today. Dogs and cats attack the tame birds and destroy nests of birds, land tortoises, and marine turtles. They sometimes kill small Galápagos tortoises and iguanas. Pigs are even more harmful, covering larger areas and destroying the nests of tortoises, turtles and iguanas as well as eating the animals' native food. Pigs also knock down vegetation in their search for roots and insects. This problem abounds in Cerro Azul volcano and Isabela, and in Santiago pigs may be the cause of the disappearance of the land iguanas that were so abundant when Darwin visited. The black rat ''[[Rattus rattus]]'' attacks small Galápagos tortoises when they leave the nest, so that in Pinzón they stopped the reproduction for a period of more than 50&nbsp;years; only adults were found on that island. Also, where the black rat is found, the endemic rat has disappeared. Cows and donkeys eat all the available vegetation and compete with native species for the scarce water. In 1959, fishermen introduced one male and two female goats to Pinta island; by 1973 the National Park service estimated the population of goats to be over 30,000 individuals. Goats were also introduced to Marchena in 1967 and to Rabida in 1971. However a recent goat eradication program has cleared most of the goat population from Isabela.

The fast growing poultry industry on the inhabited islands has been cause for concern from local conservationists, who fear that domestic birds could introduce disease into the endemic and wild bird populations.

[[Image:Tanker Jessica aground in Galapagos.jpg|thumb|right|The tanker ''Jessica'' aground in the Galapagos, January 2001]]
The Galápagos marine sanctuary is under threat from a host of illegal fishing activities, in addition to other problems of development. The most pressing threat to the Marine Reserve comes from local, mainland and foreign fishing targeting marine life illegally within the Reserve, such as sharks (hammerheads and other species) for their fins, and the harvest of sea cucumbers out of season. Development threatens both land and sea species. The growth of both the tourism industry and local populations fuelled by high birth rates and illegal immigration threaten the wildlife of the Archipelago. The recent grounding of the oil tanker ''Jessica'' and the subsequent oil spill brought this threat to world attention.

Currently, the rapidly growing problems, including tourism and a human population explosion, are further destroying habitats.

In 2007, [[UNESCO]] put the Galápagos Islands on their [[List of World Heritage Sites in danger|World Heritage in Danger]] List.
<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/danger/
|title=World Heritage in Danger List
|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage
|accessdate=2007-08-08
}}</ref>

On [[January 28]], [[2008]], [[Galapagos National Park]] official Victor Carrion announced the killing of 53 [[sea lions]] (13 [[pups]], 25 youngsters, 9 males and 6 females) at [[Pinta]], [[Galapagos]] Islands nature reserve with their heads caved in. In 2001 [[poachers]] killed 35 male sea lions.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7214860.stm BBC NEWS, Sea lions massacred in Galapagos]</ref>

==In fiction==
* In the movie ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]]'' (2003), one of the main locations is the Galápagos Islands, where naturalist Stephen Maturin discovers new animal species.
* [[Kurt Vonnegut]]'s ''[[Galápagos (novel)|Galápagos]]'' is an exploration of evolution and the absurdity of the human species, set in Guayaquil and the islands.
* [[Herman Melville]]'s ''[[The Encantadas, or Enchanted Isles]]'' is a collection of ten short stories based on his own experiences on the South Seas. Melville knew the Islands firsthand, though he also relied on the stories of other sailors who had visited the Galápagos, as well as authorities such as [[David Porter (naval officer)|David Porter]]'s ''Journal of a Cruise Made to the Pacific Ocean'' (1822).

==See also==
* [[Galápagos Province]]
*[[Albatross Foundation USA]]
*[[Galapagos National Park]]

==Notes==

{{reflist}}

==References==
* [[Thor Heyerdahl|Heyerdahl, Thor]] & Skjolsvold, Arne. (1956). ''Archaeological Evidence of Pre-Spanish Visits to the Galápagos Islands'', Memoirs 12, [[Society for American Archaeology]].
* Black, Juan. (1973). ''Galápagos, Archipiélago del Ecuador''. (Quito, Ecuador). Comprehensive monograph by a former officer of Galápagos National Park, financed by the World Wildlife Fund and the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galápagos Islands
* Quammen, David. (1996). ''The Song of the Dodo''. Touchstone, [[New York City|New York]].
* Müller, Bodo; & Stolt, Matthias. (2003). ''Galápagos Die verwunschenen Inseln''. (BLV). ISBN 3861089092

==External links==
{{commons|Galapagos}}
* [http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/nt/nt1307_full.html Galápagos Islands xeric scrub (World Wildlife Fund)]
* [http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711kng.dl/Zoology.Galapagos The Galapagos Collection] - Collection of images and historical documents related to the Galápagos Islands
* [http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/Galapagos.html Galápagos geology] - the page also includes much general information on the Galápagos Islands
{{1911}}

[[Category:Ecoregions|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Global 200 ecoregions|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Evolution|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Plate tectonics|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Ecuador|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Biosphere reserves of Ecuador]]
[[Category:Islands of Ecuador|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Seabird colonies|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Ecuador|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of the Pacific Ocean|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Hotspot volcanoes|Galapagos Islands]]
[[Category:Galápagos Islands|*]]

[[af:Galápagos-eilande]]
[[ar:أرخبيل غالاباغوس]]
[[an:Islas Galapagos]]
[[bn:গালাপাগোস দ্বীপপুঞ্জ]]
[[zh-min-nan:Galápagos Kûn-tó]]
[[bs:Galapagoska ostrva]]
[[bg:Галапагоски острови]]
[[ca:Illes Galápagos]]
[[cs:Galapágy]]
[[cy:Ynysoedd y Galapagos]]
[[da:Galápagosøerne]]
[[de:Galápagos-Inseln]]
[[et:Galápagose saared]]
[[el:Νησιά Γκαλαπάγκος]]
[[es:Islas Galápagos]]
[[eo:Galapagoj]]
[[eu:Galapagoak]]
[[fa:گالاپاگوس]]
[[fr:Îles Galápagos]]
[[gl:Illas Galápagos]]
[[ko:갈라파고스 제도]]
[[hr:Otočje Galápagos]]
[[id:Kepulauan Galapagos]]
[[is:Galápagoseyjar]]
[[it:Galápagos]]
[[he:איי גלאפגוס]]
[[sw:Galapagos]]
[[lv:Galapagu salas]]
[[lt:Galapagai]]
[[hu:Galápagos-szigetek]]
[[mr:गॅलापागोस]]
[[nl:Galapagoseilanden]]
[[ja:ガラパゴス諸島]]
[[no:Galápagosøyene]]
[[nds:Galápagos-Inseln]]
[[pl:Galapagos]]
[[pt:Galápagos]]
[[ro:Insulele Galapagos]]
[[qu:Yawatisuyu]]
[[ru:Галапагосские острова]]
[[scn:Galapagos]]
[[sk:Galapágy]]
[[sl:Galapaški otoki]]
[[sr:Галапагос]]
[[fi:Galápagossaaret]]
[[sv:Galapagosöarna]]
[[tl:Mga Pulo ng Galápagos]]
[[ta:கலாபகசுத் தீவுகள்]]
[[th:หมู่เกาะกาลาปาโกส]]
[[vi:Quần đảo Galápagos]]
[[tr:Galapagos Adaları]]
[[uk:Галапагоські острови]]
[[zh:科隆群岛]]

Revision as of 23:44, 20 November 2008

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galápagos_Islands&oldid=253085746"