Discover the Galápagos Islands

Discover the Galápagos Islands

Discover the Galápagos Islands : The Pacific Ocean island series known as the Galápagos Islands is renowned for its astounding diversity of plant and animal species

Learn and Discover about the Galápagos Islands

In the eastern Pacific Ocean, there is an archipelago of islands known as the Galápagos Islands. They are a part of South American nation of Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands are located about 966 kilometers (600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador.

How was it formed?

The Galápagos archipelago is composed of thirteen large islands and a few smaller ones. Isabela is the name of the largest island. It measures about 129 kilometers (80 miles) in length. The steep mountainous terrain of the Galápagos Islands was shaped by several volcanic eruptions.

What are the Galápagos Islands famous for?

Most people recognize the Galápagos for their wide variety of plant and animal species. Numerous species are endemic, which implies they can only be found in certain specific areas. These include the flightless cormorant (Phalacrocoraz harrisi), the marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), the enormous Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra), and the Galápagos penguin. The only penguin species that can be found in the Northern Hemisphere is the Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus).

The Galápagos Islands have a distinctive island ecosystem because of environmental factors. Despite being close to the equator, the Galápagos Islands benefit from cool ocean currents. As a result, there is an odd blending of tropical and temperate climates. The islands have spent the majority of their time in isolation. This confluence of elements served as a breeding ground for an uncommon mix of plant and animal species.

This intricate ecosystem has been researched by scientists for more than 180 years. Charles Darwin, a British naturalist, is arguably the most significant scientist to have visited the Galápagos Islands. In 1835, Darwin made his first voyage to the Galápagos aboard the HMS Beagle. His idea of evolution via natural selection was influenced by the island’s biodiversity.

These days, researchers also focus on the aquatic ecosystems of the archipelago. Salome Ursula Burglass, a marine ecologist, for instance, studies the plant and animal species that exist on and near the deep-sea seamounts or underwater volcanoes of the Galápagos.

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