NATIONAL PARK AND MARINE RESERVE

«Ecuador is more of what we can express in words, it is necessary to visit it to be able to describe it totally. We invite you to travel with us»

"The Galapagos Islands lay exactly on the equator in the South East Pacific, between the latitudes 1º40 North (Darwin Island) and 1º25 South (Española Island); and from east to west between longitudes 89º15 West (Punta Pitt San Cristobal Island) and 91º40 West (Cape Douglas, Fernandina Island). Its geographical position from the mainland and other Pacific Islands is 600 miles (966 kilometers) west of Ecuador, 1.000 miles (1.610 kilometers) south west of Panama, 2.100 miles (3.380 kilometers) south east from the tip of Baja California, 3.000 miles (4.830 kilometers) east of the Marquesas Islands and 2.300 miles (3.700 kilometers) north east of Easter Island. Hawaii, another famous hotspot, geologically related but much older than the Galapagos Islands, lays 4.300 miles (6.920 kilometers) to the north west.”

This Archipelago is an active group of islands located on the Nazca Plate, gradually moving eastward towards South America. The Archipelago is composed of 14 main islands and 107 islets covering a total surface of 7.500 square kilometers. The island emerged from the sea millions of years ago and they were created by underwater volcanic eruptions process, which continues even today. Because of their localization, The Galapagos Islands remained isolated and undisturbed for millions of years allowing the development of many singular ecosystems, among which are many species that can not be found in any other place in the world.

The reason why many marine species, flora and different climates could develop is the mixture of cool, nutrients rich waters (Humboldt — Stream) and warm currents from Central America. Visitors will be able to see of the most interesting animals such as sea — lions, penguins, marine turtles and the marine iguanas, etc. We’ll enjoy watching the Galapagos Giant Tortoises, the principal attraction of the Islands.

In 1835 Charles Darwin, visited the Galapagos Islands, and developed his revolutionary “Evolution Theory”, based on his observations of the differences between the species he found on different islands. On large islands, you will find fertile lands; while closer to the shores the vegetation becomes deserted. Likewise, the fauna provides some unusual combinations such as tropical flamingos sharing their habitat with cold water penguins and exceptional marine fauna.

The island have been declared National Park and Marine Reserve by the Ecuadorian government, in order to contribute to the preservation of land and marine life for the enjoyment of scientist and nature lovers from, all over the world.

MARINE LIFE OF GALAPAGOS, Pierre Constant