An Archipelago of Volcanic Islands – The Galàpagos Islands, Ecuador

Itinerarist > Ecuador > An Archipelago of Volcanic Islands – The Galàpagos Islands, Ecuador

The Galàpagos Islands comprises of an archipelago of volcanic islands of which 13 are main islands while 6 smaller islands and 107 islets and rocks also form a part of this archipelago that is spread over the Pacific along the equator. The islands form a part of a province, a biological marine reserve and a national park and are home to a huge endemic species of wildlife, which are of most significance here. Charles Darwin had carried out a study of these wildlife species when he was researching the Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by natural selection. The Galàpagos Islands is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Galàpagos Islands get its name from the saddle-backed tortoise or the Galàpagos tortoise, which are a unique species of tortoises found in the islands. The other significant wildlife species includes the Galàpagos Land Iguanas, Marine Iguanas, Galàpagos Green Turtles, Flightless Cormorants, Blue-footed Booby and Waved Albatross to name a few. The Galàpagos Islands was annexed by Ecuador in 1832 and named Archipelago of Ecuador, which remained as one of the many names given to these islands.

A range of flora and fauna had been brought into the islands, which are considered as harmful for the environment of the archipelago. These have badly affected the living species causing the Galàpagos Islands to be listed as one of the endangered natural wonders in the world. Also, as tourism is the main economic source, it has posed a greater threat to the natural environment of the islands. One can see a vast display of natural features here that include underwater volcanoes, lava tunnels, still forming islands, mangrove forests and the coral reef.

Apart from the exotic species of animals that you get to see here, the islands offer a number of activities that include, excursions to the various islands, swimming and snorkeling. The months from December to June are warm with rains with the remaining months having a cool climate. The best time to visit the Galàpagos Islands is in the month of December.