Officially known as the Archipelago of Colón, the Galapagos Islands sit in the Pacific Ocean 972 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador. The Archipelago covers approximately 8.000 km2 and consists of six main islands (Isabela, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Santiago, and Fernandina), 12 smaller islands, 42 islets, and countless small rock formations.Legend has it that Indians, probably Incas who lived in the territory that is now Ecuador, landed on the archipelago long before Fray Tomas de Berlanga officially discovered it in 1535. However, the lack of fresh water and the Galapagos' harsh landscape kept the Incas and European explorers from permanently settling the islands, so, until the 19th century, the Galapagos were a haven for pirates and a stopover for whalers but had almost no human inhabitants. It was not until Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos that they were truly put on the map and began to draw steady attention from mankind.The many islands that make up the Galapagos, really tips of active volcanoes, are a work-in-progress that began forming between one and five million years ago. Having literally risen from the sea, they enjoy a position of near absolute isolation, an environment which is perfect for the evolution of unique species. The Galapagos were slowly colonized by birds, marine mammals, reptiles, and insects that survived long journeys from the mainland. These creatures, together with spores and seeds carried by the wind or attached to birds, evolved and slowly adapted to the specific conditions of the islands' singular environment. The Archipelago currently has more endemic species than anywhere else on the planet, including 228 endemic plant and tree species, 28 birds, 19 reptiles, and 4 mammals. Such exotic animals as the iguana, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorant, penguin, flamingo, sea lion, and tortoise thrive on this primeval paradise.
The best way to experience the Galapagos Islands is by yacht with the help of a naturalist guide. EQUATORINFORMATION offers you the best options for exploring the islands - let us take you through this unique natural wonderland.
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