30 fascinating facts about the Galápagos Islands

Discover 30 fascinating facts about the Galapagos Islands - The Galápagos Islands are one of the most awe-inspiring works of nature on the entire planet. The archipelago is located in the Pacific Ocean and is an Ecuadorean territory. Nature lovers are drawn to the beautiful islands for their variety of exotic plants and animals. Discover some impressive facts about the islands in the following gallery!

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Territory - The Galápagos Islands are officially named the Arquipélago de Colón. They are located in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles off the South American coast and are one of Ecuador's 24 provinces.

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The archipelago - The Galápagos archipelago is around 8000 square kilometers and is made up of 13 large islands, 6 small islands, and 40 islets.

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Islands - The largest islands are Isabela, San Cristobal, Santiago, Santa Cruz, and Fernandina.

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History - The Galápagos Islands were the result of volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean five million years ago. The largest and most well-known island is Isabela Island. It is also the youngest island in the world: it has only been in existence for about a million years.

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Capital - Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital and main city of the Galápagos archipelago and is located on San Cristobal Island.

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Population - The current population of the islands is 19,000 people.

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Paradise - The Galápagos Islands are a paradise with varied biodiversity. The archipelago has not been thoroughly explored and documented, but attracts tourists from all over the world.

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Fauna - The Galápagos Islands contain a large quantity of exotic animals exclusive to the archipelago. They attract nature lovers and researchers from all over the world.

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Endemic species - Of the more than 5,000 species encountered on the islands, around 2,000 are endemic.

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Giant tortoise - One of the most well-known species on the islands is the Galápagos Giant Tortoise. This massive tortoise is the tenth-heaviest reptile in the world, reaching up to 400 kg and a length of around 1.8 meters. It can live up to 100 years.

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Giant tortoise - The name of the tortoises found on these islands is related to the name of the archipelago. The name "Galápagos" comes from the verb, "galopar," which refers to the hunting of tortoises before killing and eating them.

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Marine iguana - Another rare species found here is the marine iguana. The animal is the only lizard in the world that can forage in the sea. It lives on rocky beaches and eats sea algae.

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Marine iguana - The marine iguana is capable of diving up to 40 meters and holding its breath for more than 20 minutes.

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Penguins - The islands are also home to the Galápagos penguin, the only penguin that lives in the northern hemisphere, and is currently under threat of extinction. It is around 50 centimeters tall and weighs around 2 kg.

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Peregrine falcon - The peregrine falcon is also native to the islands. It is one of the fastest of its species.

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Frigate bird - The frigate is a large bird with long, narrow wings. It is about 1 meter tall, with a wingspan of over 6 ft and a long, forked tail. Its plumage is generally black and males have a bright red jugular sack.

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Naturalists and researchers - Few scientists were as interested in the Galápagos islands as the British naturalist Charles Darwin. He observed small modifications among the animals on the island, particularly among the beaks of the finch.

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Charles Darwin - Darwin noticed that every beak was perfectly adapted to the specific environment in which the bird lived. Observations such as this led to the development of the theory of evolution.

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Finch - The finches that Darwin studied were well-adapted to their environment. There were 13 different species living on the islands and they differed in color and beak characteristics.

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Research station - The islands are a nature reserve administered by the government of Ecuador. Since being visited by Charles Darwin they have been one of the main biological research sites in the world. The Charles Darwin Research Station carries out biological research.

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UNESCO World Heritage - The Galápagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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National park - Ecuador passed a law in 1998 that prohibits commercial fishing and new residents on the islands. The islands are also designated as a national park.

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Volcanoes - Wolf is the largest volcano in the Galápagos and is located on Isabela Island. It stands around 1075 meters above sea level and is surrounded by 2,500 mini-volcanoes.

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Rules - Tourists must follow many rules, such as not littering, not building campsites, and not using plastic bags on the islands.

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Rules - Tourists must also respect that the islands are protected by law. It is prohibited to take souvenirs from the islands, such as rocks, leaves, or any other natural object.

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Rules - It is also prohibited to touch any wild animals encountered on the islands. However, it is possible to take pictures with them.

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Climate - The Galápagos Islands have a sub-tropical climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. The ocean currents are largely responsible for the climate. The best months to visit the islands are March and April, when the climate is most pleasant.

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Flora - In addition to the exotic animals that live on the islands, there is also a large diversity of flora. It is possible to find many different types of plant life. One example is the Prickly Pear cactus, a species of cactus that can grow up to 12 meters tall. There are six different species of this plant located on the islands.

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Beautiful landscapes - The Galápagos fascinates tourists from all over the world with its vast vegetation on the islands and in the surrounding water. The beautiful landscapes are rich in biodiversity.

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Natural wonders - The archipelago has been included on many lists as an underwater wonder. It is a given that the fauna and flora are unique to the islands and provide an incredible experience for all who visit.

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