The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Archipelago is located straddling the Equator in the Pacific
Ocean, 600 miles from mainland Ecuador. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal
Island is the capital of Galapagos Province and Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island
is the commercial heart of Galapagos. The archipelago consist of 22 main islands,
and dozens of other small islets and volcanic rocks, having a total land area
of 3,086 square miles, spread over an area of sea covering some 20,000 square
miles.
Differnt Parts of the Galapagos
When you visit the Galapagos Islands, chances are you'll want to see several areas on your trip. Some of the islands offer modern necessities like restaurants, hotels, convenience stores and boat rentals, while other islands offer what you are seeking: solitude and chances to glimpse rare species of animals and birds. We've broken down the archipelago into four main groups of islands, listed below, along with a description of the major islands in each group. Also, for boat owners, there is a Landings page, which illustrates the type of landing you can expect on the major islands, if you wish to drive a rental or your own boat to various islands amonst the Galapagos.
The Central Islands
The Southern Islands
The Northern Islands
The Western Islands
The Island Landings
Tips on Exploring the Various Islands of the Galapagos
In general, you should put conservation and ecology in the forefront of your mind when you visit the Galapagos Islands. The islands have suffered much at the hands of humans in the past century, and the Galapagos National Park system is doing its utmost to reverse the habitat destruction and species introduction that has occurred. The Galapagos welcome responsible ecotourism to their islands, and there are some basic rules to follow to make sure you fit the bill:
- Don't pester the wildlife
- Stay on marked trails so you don't destroy vegetation and subsequently cause erosion and devestation of habitat for Galapagos species
- No Smoking in the National Park System, which covers 97% of the Islands
- No souvenirs from the Park. Get yours in the tourist shops. Don't take anything out of the Park except pictures and good memories.
- Don't leave anything in the Park, which means absolutely no littering.
- Travel with a guide, and follow his or her instructions. They know what's best for this precious natural resource.
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