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galapagos islands: general info
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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Calling Code: +
The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the western Pacific Ocean. The islands are quite remote and isolated, lying some 1000 km (620 miles) west of the South American continent. The Galapagos archipelago consists of 13 main islands and 6 smaller isles, which together embrace some 50,000 sq km (19,500 sq miles) of ocean.
The Galápagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife - much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. The islands are therefore very popular amongst natural historians, both professional and amateur. Giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas and different bird species can all be seen and approached. The landscape of the islands is relatively barren and volcanic, but beautiful nonetheless. The highest mountain amongst the islands is Volcán Wolf on Isla Isabela, 1707 m (5600ft) high.
The Galápagos were claimed by newly-independent Ecuador
in 1832, a mere three years before Darwin's visit on the
Beagle. During the 19th and early 20th centuries
the islands were inhabited by very few settlers and were
used as a penal colony, the last closing in 1959 when the
islands were declared a national park. The Galapagos were
subsequently listed as a World Heritage Site in 1978.
Strict controls on tourist access are maintained in an effort to protect the natural habitats and all visitors must be accompanied by a national park-certified naturalist tour guide. The islands currently receive an average of 60,000 visitors per year. Sadly most visitors simply take a boat tour and then depart, allowing very little money to flow to local inhabitants. By extending a stay in Puerto Ayora or elsewhere it helps add money to the local economy and demonstrates to locals the value of the park and the need to end illegal fishing and polluting.
The Galapagos Islands have a highly variable climate, as does Ecuador's mainland. June to November sees the Garua season when the islands can be misty. January to March is the rainy season. Each month brings unique climate variations and wildlife viewing opportunities. Generally speaking, the best months to visit are April, May and November.
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