What is another name for the Galapagos Islands?
Galapagos Islands, Spanish Islas Galápagos, officially Archipiélago de Colón (“Columbus Archipelago”), island group of the eastern Pacific Ocean, administratively a province of Ecuador.
Are the Galapagos Islands part of Peru?
The Galapagos Islands are part of the country of Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a renown National Park. They are situated in the Pacific Ocean about 605 miles (1,000 kilometers) west of northern South America.
Are all the Galapagos Islands the same?
There are 13 different species of Darwin’s finches, and the slight variance of these species, which are believed to all be from the same ancestor, and their ability to adapt to the specific island of the Galapagos each call home is what helped Darwin hone his theories on evolution.
Which are the 4 inhabited islands on Galapagos?
The four inhabited islands (Isabela, Floreana, San Cristobal, and Santa Cruz) include rural and urban communities, as well as areas protected by the Galápagos National Park (GNP).
What is the most inhabited Galapagos Island?
Santa Cruz
Who lives on Galapagos Island?
Most people are from the Mestizo ethnic group, which are the descendants of Spanish and Native American peoples. People live on only 5 of the 19 islands of the Galápagos: Baltra, Floreana, Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.
What are the two most dangerous animals in the Galapagos Islands?
At sea, sharks and sea urchins are commonly spotted, while lion fish and other poisonous fish may also be present. Again, these creatures are not generally aggressive towards visitors and the danger is very small if you keep a safe distance.
What are the most studied animal in the Galapagos?
Top 10 Galapagos Islands Animals To Spot
- Galapagos Tortoises. The iconic tortoises are probably the most important species on the Galapagos Islands and the most famous.
- Marine Iguana.
- Galapagos Finches.
- Galapagos Penguin.
- Blue-Footed Booby.
- Galapagos Sea Lions.
- Magnificent Frigatebird.
- Sally Lightfoot Crabs.
What is special about Galapagos?
Environmental conditions make the Galápagos a unique island ecosystem. The Galápagos Islands are located near the equator, yet they receive cool ocean currents. This makes for a strange mix of tropical and temperate climates. For most of their history, the islands have been extremely isolated.
Why are the Galapagos Islands so important?
Facts. Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador lie the volcanic islands of the Galápagos, famous for a wealth of unique plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. The Galápagos Islands were the source of Darwin’s theory of evolution and remain a priceless living laboratory for scientists today.
How many species live in the Galapagos Islands?
9,000 species