The Galapagos Islands are located at the Equator 1,000km
or 600 nautical miles off the Ecuadorian coast in South
America. They consist of 61 islands and islets, with 13 main
islands. The total
land area is 7,882 square kilometers within a marine reserve of 45,000 square
kilometers. The
13 main islands are Baltra, Española, Fernandina, Floreana, Genovesa, Isabela,
Marchena, Pinta, Pinzon, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, and Santiago.
The Galapagos sprouted out of the Pacific from a sub
oceanic lava vent on the ocean floor. The same process created the Hawaiian Islands, and nowadays this process continues in
both island groups.
Geologically these Islands
are situated on one of the most active volcanic regions on earth: the Nazca
Plate. Geographically, even though they are in the tropics, the
islands are fortunate, since, they are not in the path of big storms or other
natural phenomena.
Traveling to the Galapagos Islands is a
way to step back in time, visiting a quiet, untouched place on earth. This
paradise is the ideal place for those who want to be in a pure
and natural habitat, enjoying natural history and wildlife.
