The Galapagos IslandsThe Galapagos Islands

Mrs. MiroffMrs. MiroffBrookwood Middle SchoolBrookwood Middle School

Galapagos GeographyGalapagos Geography• The Galapagos Islands The Galapagos Islands

are located 600 miles are located 600 miles off the coast of off the coast of Ecuador, in South Ecuador, in South America.America.

• There are 13 large There are 13 large islands, 6 smaller ones islands, 6 smaller ones and 107 islets and and 107 islets and rocks, with a total land rocks, with a total land area of about 8,000 area of about 8,000 square kilometers.square kilometers.

• They are considered an They are considered an ARCHIPELAGO, or a ARCHIPELAGO, or a large group of islands.large group of islands.

• Tomás de Berlanga, Tomás de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama first Bishop of Panama first discovered the discovered the Galapagos in 1535 Galapagos in 1535 while drifting while drifting accidentally off course accidentally off course 800 km as he sailed 800 km as he sailed from Panama to Peru. from Panama to Peru. He named the huge He named the huge tortoises he found on tortoises he found on the island “galapagos,” the island “galapagos,” which is where we get which is where we get the name for the the name for the islands today.islands today.

• The first mapped The first mapped appearance of the appearance of the Galapagos Islands Galapagos Islands came in 1574 although came in 1574 although the locals are said to the locals are said to have known of them have known of them since 1535 by the since 1535 by the Indian people of South Indian people of South America. America.

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin• The Galapagos islands The Galapagos islands

gained fame when gained fame when scientist Charles Darwin scientist Charles Darwin came to study evolution came to study evolution on the islands.on the islands.

• Since the islands were Since the islands were basically untouched by basically untouched by human or other human or other invasive species, he felt invasive species, he felt he could study how life he could study how life naturally evolved.naturally evolved.

• He wrote a book, He wrote a book, On On the Origin of Species,the Origin of Species, where he discussed where he discussed what he learned on the what he learned on the islands.islands.

Galapagos ReptilesGalapagos Reptiles

• Galapagos is Galapagos is probably best probably best known for its known for its fascinating range fascinating range of endemic of endemic reptiles. The giant reptiles. The giant tortoise is world-tortoise is world-renowned. renowned.

The unique marine iguana is the only sea-going lizard in the world. It can only be found in the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Sea LionsGalapagos Sea Lions

• Galapagos Sea Galapagos Sea Lions are one of Lions are one of the most the most conspicuous and conspicuous and numerous marine numerous marine mammals on the mammals on the Galapagos Islands.Galapagos Islands.

Blue-footed BoobiesBlue-footed Boobies

• Boobies are among Boobies are among the most fascinating the most fascinating seabirds to be seen seabirds to be seen in the Galapagos. in the Galapagos. The blue-footed The blue-footed boobies are boobies are particularly common particularly common and may be seen and may be seen nesting in rocks nesting in rocks near the shore on near the shore on most islands. most islands.

People of the GalapagosPeople of the Galapagos

• Every person living on the Galapagos Every person living on the Galapagos Islands focuses on environmental Islands focuses on environmental conservation.conservation.

• They recycle everything, and are They recycle everything, and are very active in making sure the very active in making sure the islands are rid of any type of invasive islands are rid of any type of invasive species.species.

Organic Coffee PlanationOrganic Coffee Planation

Galapagos and the Galapagos and the EnvironmentEnvironment• Galapagos Coffee is Galapagos Coffee is

grown without the grown without the use of any use of any pesticides, and is pesticides, and is 100% organic.100% organic.

• It is sold around the It is sold around the world, to people who world, to people who want to drink coffee want to drink coffee made without made without harmful chemicals.harmful chemicals.

• The islands are The islands are volcanic in origin and volcanic in origin and several volcanoes in several volcanoes in the west of the the west of the archipelago are still archipelago are still very active. very active.

• Only five of the Only five of the islands are inhabited islands are inhabited by people.by people.

• The capital city is The capital city is Puerto Baquerizo Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Moreno on San Cristobal Island, Cristobal Island, although the largest although the largest town is Puerto Ayora town is Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. on Santa Cruz.

Kids on San CristobalKids on San Cristobal

Education on the Galapagos Education on the Galapagos IslandsIslands

• Kids get a great education. They Kids get a great education. They learn English, and constantly work to learn English, and constantly work to conserve the beauty of the islands.conserve the beauty of the islands.

• Galapagos residents are among the Galapagos residents are among the most economically advantaged most economically advantaged people of Ecuador.people of Ecuador.

• Although the schools are not very Although the schools are not very modern, the teachers have learned modern, the teachers have learned to “do a lot, with very little.”to “do a lot, with very little.”

The Future of the IslandsThe Future of the Islands

• Tourism is becoming an increasing Tourism is becoming an increasing problem because so many tourists do problem because so many tourists do not pay attention to conservation not pay attention to conservation regulations.regulations.

• Groups like the World Wildlife Groups like the World Wildlife Foundation work to educate individuals Foundation work to educate individuals about the importance of keeping the about the importance of keeping the islands preserved for years to come.islands preserved for years to come.