The Galapagos Archipelago - its rich flora and fauna
The Galapagos archipelago is part of Ecuador, a country in northwestern South America. It is situated 800 kilometers west of the Ecuadorian coast and lie directly on the equator. The archipelago encompasses over 50 islands of volcanic origin that are spread out over an area of about 4,500 square kilometers. The volcanic Galapagos platform originated probably not more than 15 million years ago and the oldest island not more than 2.4 million years ago. Isla Fernandina and the Sierra Negra volcano on Isla Isabela have erupted within the past 10 years. In 1978 UNESCO recognised the islands as a World Heritage site . This was later extended in December 2001 to include the marine reserve. When the national park was established, approximately 1,000 to 2,000 people called the islands their home.
The islands are distributed around the equator, 965 kilometres (about 600 miles) west of Ecuador (recently found to have 3 volcanoes in the center island, all of them active
There is nothing quite like exploring the trail of Darwin through the Galapagos Islands, with the odd creatures that populate this isolated world filling every niche around you. The Galapagos is a world within itself, with the odd creatures that populate this isolated world filling every niche around you.
The Island’s interesting volcanic geology, as well as its rich flora and fauna have been admired and studied by numerous travelers, scientist, and nature-lovers. Scientist are still faced with a mystery how such a large diversity of species could develop in a remote location like the Galapagos Islands. On the Islands, a multitude of animals, by most people only known from the Discovery Channel, are romping about: the main reason for tourists and nature lovers to pay the Galapagos Islands a visit.
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