10 Interesting Facts about The Galapagos Islands

These interesting Facts about The Galapagos Islands will give you knowledge and information to know more about it. The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands. It is distributed on either side of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, 906 km (563 mi) west of continental Ecuador. Below are some details facts about the Galapagos Islands.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 1: History

The discovery of the Galapagos Islands was happened the Spaniard Fray Tomás de Berlanga sailed to Peru to settle a dispute between Francisco Pizarro and his lieutenants. Its first appearance on the maps of Gerardus Mercator and Abraham Ortelius, was in 1570s.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 2: Weather

The weather of these Islands was affected by the El Niño events. The periodical events happen about every 3–7 years. The characteristics of El Niño are warm sea surface temperatures, a rise in sea level, greater wave action, and a depletion of nutrients in the water.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 3: Minor Islands

There are four minor islands named Daphne Major, South Plaza, Nameless and Roca Redonda. One of the minor islands is named in honor of a former president of Ecuador, General Leonidas Plaza. Find more facts about the First Moon Landing here

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 4: Main Islands

The Galapagos Islands consist of 18 main islands. The name of those main islands are Baltra, Bartolomé , Darwin , Espanola , Fernandina , Floreana, Genovesa, Isabela, Marchena, North Seymour , Pinzón, Pinta, Rábida, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz , Santa Fe, Santiago and Wolf.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 5: Politics

The provincial government administers the islands. On 18 February 1973, the decree of President Guillermo Rodríguez Lara  made it into a province.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 6: Sites

There are 54 land sites and 62 scuba-diving and snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands. Licensed guides will accompany the visitor groups. To limit the impact on the area, small groups only permitted to visit around 2-4 hours.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 7: Demographics

Ecuadorian Mestizos is the largest ethnic group live on these islands. Ecuadorian Mestizos is the mixed descendants of Spanish colonists and indigenous Native Americans. According to 2010 statistics, there were 25,124 people in the Galapagos.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 8: World Heritage Site

In 1978 UNESCO stated the islands as a World Heritage Site and in 1985, as a biosphere reserve. This decision was later extended in December 2001 to include the marine reserve. Find more facts about the First Telephone here

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 9: Environmental Threats

Illegal fishing activities threat the Galápagos marine sanctuary. Another treats are the growth of both the tourism industry and local populations fuelled by high birth rates and illegal immigration.

Facts about the Galapagos Islands 10: The Species of Galapagos

There are many species of the Galapagos Island. The name of Galapagos itself was given from Galapagos tortoise. While the other worthy species are iguanas, turtle, sea cucumbers, penguin, albatross, hawk, mockingbirds and so forth.

Hopefully those interesting Facts about The Galapagos Islands will enrich your sources of reading.