Brief History of the Galapagos Islands

1485 It's believed that a northern culture from Peru ruled by the Incas, the Chimu, were the first visitors.

1535 The Bishop of Panama, Fray Tomas de Berlanga, was in route to Peru. His ship drifted off course by the ocean currents and "discovered" the Galapagos Islands.

1593 - 1710 The Galapagos Islands were pirates favorite hideout and supply base for water and meat (particularly the giant tortoises).

1793 - 1870 Industrial revolution had changed and rather than Spanish gold, seafarers searched oil which came from whale's blubber. This exploitation on the Galapagos, brought the tortoise, fur seals and sperm whales, near extinction.

1835 The Beagle visited the Galapagos Islands. Charles Darwin studied and noted the similarities and differences of the flora and fauna. He concluded that the species, to survive, would gradually alter based on environmental conditions.

1859 After 20 years of his life gathering supporting evidence, Darwin published "The Origin of the Species by Natural Selection".

1892 Galapagos is officially names "Archipélago de Colón" in honor of Christopher Columbus's discovery of American 400 years earlier.

1959 100th Anniversary of the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species, the Galapagos Islands became Ecuador's first National Park and the non-profit Charles Darwin Foundation was established to assist the in preservation of the islands.

1978 The Islands are declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO underlining its universal value for mankind.

History of Ecuador

Facts about the Galapagos Islands

Official Name:
Archipiélago de Colón

Area:
Total area (sea): 45000 square kilometers.
Total land area: 7882 square kilometers

Size:
430 kilometers long.

Population:
1990 Estimate: 12000 people.
Major settlements of people: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz), 4000; Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal), 2800; Puerto Villamil (Isabela), 1000; Puerto Velasco (Floreana), 700.

Climate:
The ocean currents largely determine Galapagos Islands' weather. Normally from June - December, there is a cold current rising from the south which creates a cool moist fog called a garúa close to the ocean making the climate rather cool and dry. In December, the wind has less force; the ocean is calm and the currents change, surrounding the islands in the warm Panama Current from the North. These currents create a definable weather pattern of hot sunny mornings followed by clouds and occasional showers in the afternoons. Needless to say, this is usually the favorite time to visit. In other words: June - December cool, cloudy and dry season. December - June, warm, sunny and rainy season.

Islands
13 major islands, 8 smaller islands, 40 islets.
Major islands include:
Santiago, Santa Cruz, Floreana, San Cristobal, Española, Genovesa, Santa Fe, Isabela, Fernandina, Darwin, Roca Redonda, Marchena, Pinta.