The Galapagos Islands Mrs. Miroff Brookwood Middle School

Galapagos Geography The Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, in South America. The Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, in South America. There are 13 large islands, 6 smaller ones and 107 islets and rocks, with a total land area of about 8,000 square kilometers. There are 13 large islands, 6 smaller ones and 107 islets and rocks, with a total land area of about 8,000 square kilometers. They are considered an ARCHIPELAGO, or a large group of islands. They are considered an ARCHIPELAGO, or a large group of islands.

Tomás de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama first discovered the Galapagos in 1535 while drifting accidentally off course 800 km as he sailed from Panama to Peru. He named the huge tortoises he found on the island “galapagos,” which is where we get the name for the islands today. Tomás de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama first discovered the Galapagos in 1535 while drifting accidentally off course 800 km as he sailed from Panama to Peru. He named the huge tortoises he found on the island “galapagos,” which is where we get the name for the islands today. The first mapped appearance of the Galapagos Islands came in 1574 although the locals are said to have known of them since 1535 by the Indian people of South America. The first mapped appearance of the Galapagos Islands came in 1574 although the locals are said to have known of them since 1535 by the Indian people of South America.

Charles Darwin The Galapagos islands gained fame when scientist Charles Darwin came to study evolution on the islands. The Galapagos islands gained fame when scientist Charles Darwin came to study evolution on the islands. Since the islands were basically untouched by human or other invasive species, he felt he could study how life naturally evolved. Since the islands were basically untouched by human or other invasive species, he felt he could study how life naturally evolved. He wrote a book, On the Origin of Species, where he discussed what he learned on the islands. He wrote a book, On the Origin of Species, where he discussed what he learned on the islands.

Galapagos Reptiles Galapagos is probably best known for its fascinating range of endemic reptiles. The giant tortoise is world-renowned. Galapagos is probably best known for its fascinating range of endemic reptiles. The giant tortoise is world-renowned.

The unique marine iguana is the only sea- going lizard in the world. It can only be found in the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Sea Lions Galapagos Sea Lions are one of the most conspicuous and numerous marine mammals on the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos Sea Lions are one of the most conspicuous and numerous marine mammals on the Galapagos Islands.

Blue-footed Boobies Boobies are among the most fascinating seabirds to be seen in the Galapagos. The blue-footed boobies are particularly common and may be seen nesting in rocks near the shore on most islands. Boobies are among the most fascinating seabirds to be seen in the Galapagos. The blue-footed boobies are particularly common and may be seen nesting in rocks near the shore on most islands.

People of the Galapagos Every person living on the Galapagos Islands focuses on environmental conservation. Every person living on the Galapagos Islands focuses on environmental conservation. They recycle everything, and are very active in making sure the islands are rid of any type of invasive species. They recycle everything, and are very active in making sure the islands are rid of any type of invasive species.

Organic Coffee Planation

Galapagos and the Environment Galapagos Coffee is grown without the use of any pesticides, and is 100% organic. Galapagos Coffee is grown without the use of any pesticides, and is 100% organic. It is sold around the world, to people who want to drink coffee made without harmful chemicals. It is sold around the world, to people who want to drink coffee made without harmful chemicals.

The islands are volcanic in origin and several volcanoes in the west of the archipelago are still very active. The islands are volcanic in origin and several volcanoes in the west of the archipelago are still very active. Only five of the islands are inhabited by people. Only five of the islands are inhabited by people. The capital city is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, although the largest town is Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. The capital city is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, although the largest town is Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz.

Kids on San Cristobal

Education on the Galapagos Islands Kids get a great education. They learn English, and constantly work to conserve the beauty of the islands. Kids get a great education. They learn English, and constantly work to conserve the beauty of the islands. Galapagos residents are among the most economically advantaged people of Ecuador. Galapagos residents are among the most economically advantaged people of Ecuador. Although the schools are not very modern, the teachers have learned to “do a lot, with very little.” Although the schools are not very modern, the teachers have learned to “do a lot, with very little.”

The Future of the Islands Tourism is becoming an increasing problem because so many tourists do not pay attention to conservation regulations. Tourism is becoming an increasing problem because so many tourists do not pay attention to conservation regulations. Groups like the World Wildlife Foundation work to educate individuals about the importance of keeping the islands preserved for years to come. Groups like the World Wildlife Foundation work to educate individuals about the importance of keeping the islands preserved for years to come.