Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands (a.k.a. Colón Archipelago) are a group of 15 large islands and several hundred small islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America. The Islands are owned by Ecuador and (in 1990) has a population of 9785 people. The Islands have a total land area of 7844 square kilometers. There are several active volcanoes and heavy mists in the uplands. The climate and temperature of the waters surrounding the islands are altered by the cold Humboldt Current from the Antartic.

Species

There are many species of animals, birds, and reptiles that only live in the Galapagos Islands. Here are just a few species of animals that populate the island:

• 6 species of giant tortoise
• 2 species of large lizards
• as many as 85 different species of birds, such as flightless cormorants, flamingos, penguins, and finches
• many sealions

History

• 1535- First explored by the Spanish
• 17 to 18th century- The islands were used as a meeting place for pirates
• 1832- The Galapagos were first settled by people
• 1832- Charles Darwin studied the animal life for 6 weeks to complete his book, Origin of Species
• 1967- A satellite tracking station was put on one of the islands

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