The Galapagos Islands were discovered by the Spanish priest and traveler Thomas de Berlanga, who in the spring of 1535. Later, Europeans named them after the turtles that live on the islands, which in the plural meant “galápagos” - terrestrial turtles.
It is interesting that the islands continue their geological formation, and in our short review we will present the largest islands of the Galapagos archipelago.
1
Isabella / Albemarle
The name of the largest island of the Galapagos archipelago in Spanish sounds like Isla Isabela, and its total area is 4588.12 km².
Occupying the first place in terms of area, Isabella is third in terms of population of 2,200 inhabitants. Naturally, the largest Galapagos island received the name of Isabella of Castile, who blessed Colubma on a dangerous journey.
On the expanses of the island there are 6 volcanoes, 5 of which are active. The highest of these is Wulf, in the crater of which a lake was formed at an altitude of 1,707 m.
2
Santa Cruz / Indefatigable
The island of volcanic origin, almost perfect round shape, holds the lead in terms of number of inhabitants. According to the latest census, Santa Cruz has a little more than 12 thousand people.
In the heart of the island of Santa Cruz is a majestic plateau of an extinct volcano, and the main population is concentrated in the city of Puerto Ayer, which is located on the south coast.
In addition, there is a research station named after Charles Darwin. Researchers study the unique flora and fauna of the island, and the population is mainly employed in the tourism industry.
3
Fernandina / Narborough
But Fernandina is the youngest in the friendly family of the Galapagos archipelago, and in its structure it is a thyroid volcano, towering above the blue waters of the ocean.
The last time a volcano disturbed its inhabitants with an eruption in 2009. Due to frequent eruptions, the surface of the island turned gray, with virtually no vegetation.
Large colonies of marine iguanas live in the coastal zone, flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins nest, and pelicans actively hunt. In coastal waters you can meet sea lions.
4
San Salvador / James
The most beautiful uninhabited island was named after the Apostle Christ James the Elder, and San Salvador enters the canton of Santa Cruz. The total area of San Salvador is 584.65 km².
On English maps it is marked as James, and the volcano located within the island last erupted in 1906. San Salvador is world famous for its amazing fauna with rare and unique animals.
There are turtles, graceful flamingos, you can meet Darwin finches and Galapagos buzzard. Great harm to the fauna is caused by goats and sheep, once brought to the island by humans.
As you can see, the unique archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is famous not only for its unique elephant turtles.
5
San Cristobal / Chatham
The easternmost and one of the most beautiful islands of the Galapagos archipelago was named in honor of St. Christopher - the main patron of all sailors. But the English name Chatham was given in honor of the famous British Prime Minister William Pitt, the first of the Earls of Chatham.
San Cristobal is inhabited, and its main city is the city of Puerto Bakeriso Moreno, with a population of 7,470 people. The highest point is an extinct volcano, whose height is 707 m.
The island will surprise the traveler with tropical vegetation and magnificent representatives of the fauna. The city has long been inhabited by elephant turtles, iguanas, Galapagos gulls, and dolphins and sharks are found in coastal waters.
6
Santa Maria / Charles
It is easy to guess that the island got its beautiful name in honor of the ship "Santa Maria", which participated in the expedition of Christopher Columbus.
Locals also called the island of Floreana, in honor of the first president of Ecuador, but the British assigned him the name "Charles". Santa Maria was the first island of the archipelago that was inhabited by people, but now it is deserted, although Wikipedia reports about 100 inhabitants.
Flora and fauna attracts here researchers of various sciences who study the geology of Father Santa Maria, as well as its magnificent and unique flora and fauna.
7
Marchena / Bindloe
An island in the northern part of the archipelago was named after Antonio Marchen, but the British call it Bindloe.
The area of Marcheny Island is not large, and is only 129.96 km². Like all islands of the Marchena archipelago, it is of volcanic origin. The island is deserted, and in its open spaces you can meet a local inhabitant - elephant turtles.
Tourists practically do not visit the island, although the guidebooks indicate that its bays are great for diving.
8
Hispaniola / Hood
The southernmost of the Galapagos Islands with the beautiful name "Espanyola" is uninhabited, but thousands of tourists visit it to watch amazing albatrosses.
Another motivation for visiting tourists on the island are the mating dances of blue-footed boobies. An unforgettable sight that can not be seen in other parts of the world.
The area of the island is small, only 60.48 km², and the highest point of this volcanic formation in the middle of the ocean is a mountain 206 m high.
By the way, on our website TheBiggest.ru you can easily find information about the highest mountains of the planet.
9
Pint / Abingdon
Another island that received its name in honor of the ship on the Columbus expedition. It is also of volcanic origin, and its volcano was last active in 1928.
A pint is the birthplace of Lone George, the most famous elephant tortoise. It is interesting, but on a small island, several climatic zones are noted, which determined the diversity of flora and fauna.
An extinct volcano rises above the island, and from a height of 777 m, magnificent views of the beautiful uninhabited island and the waters of the ocean open.
Interesting facts about the Galapagos Islands ...
It is worth telling amazing stories that are associated with the amazing islands of the Galapagos archipelago, lost in the middle of the Pacific waters.
- Santo Maria Island has Postal Gulf, and in the 17th century a barrel was installed in its waters, which served as a mailbox for sailing sailors. The barrel performs its functions now.
- At the beginning of the 19th century, the city of Volcano began to be built on the island of Isabella in the crater of the volcano Darwin, but the eruption of the volcano of 1813 destroyed all the architects' plans.
- Five ocean currents miraculously converge at the Galapagos Islands, which creates unpredictable tides and a special microclimate here.
- Due to its unique nature and unique wildlife, in 1959 the islands were given the status of a National Park, which is subject to the special laws of environmental protection, flora and fauna.
- The most famous inhabitant of the Galapagos was Lone George, the last turtle of Pinto. George left this world in 2012, and he was not more than 100 years old.
- In 1835, the famous Charles Darwin visited the islands. Discovering many new species. The biologist noted that some homogeneous species have differences, depending on the islands on which they live.
In conclusion, we note that they were originally called the “Enchanted Islands”, as fast currents made it difficult for mariners to get close to them and anchor in bays and bays. In the 80s of the 17th century, the amazing islands became the residence of the pirate Embroz Cowley, who in 1684 compiled the first navigational map of the Galapagos Islands, giving them the names of their pirate friends or noble patrons.
Article author: Valery Skiba