All islands are not created equal. Manhattan, for example, has become a big deal. So, for that matter, has Singapore. Then there’s Little Galloo Island. Have you heard of it? Either had we until we started searching for an obscure island to make our point. It’s an uninhabited island in eastern Lake Ontario, not terribly far from us. Let’s just say it’s not as well known as a certain set of islands in the Pacific Ocean, a set of islands that inspired a pretty important theory. We’re, of course, referring to the Galápagos Islands. What exactly are the Galápagos Islands? Here is a quick 10-fact primer.
1
The first documented human interaction with the islands occurred in 1535. In that year, the Spaniard Tomás de Berlanga, acting as Bishop of Panama, saw his ship blown off course on his way to Peru to settle a land dispute, inadvertently stumbling upon the archipelago.
2
The volcanic islands are located around 600 miles west of Ecuador, straddling the equator. The entire archipelago, spread over 17,000 square miles of ocean, is said to consist of 18 main islands, 3 small islands, and 107 islets and rocks. Of the main islands, five are inhabited by humans, and one (Isabela Island) comprises over half the total land area.
3
The Galápagos Islands are actually a province of Ecuador. The country annexed the islands from Spain in 1832, about 10 years after having achieved independence from the colonial power. The provincial capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and the principal language is Spanish. As such, locals might refer to the archipelago as las islas Galápagos (though the official name is archipiélago de Colón). Since 1959, about 97.5 percent of the total land area has been considered a national park.
4
Starting in 1831, the then 22-year-old English naturalist Charles Darwin took part in the nearly five-year (second) voyage of the HMS Beagle. In 1835, the ship reached the Galápagos Islands. Over the next month or so, Darwin, it could be said, looked around a little bit. The observations he made contributed to his landmark 1859 work On the Origin of Species, which detailed his now widely accepted theory of evolution via natural selection.
5
The relative isolation and numerous habitat zones of the islands have contributed to the immense biodiversity that was noted by Darwin. Estimates regarding the number of species (flora and fauna) in and around the islands seem to land in the 7,000 to 9,000 range. Many species are endemic to the islands (in other words, found only there and nowhere else). Examples include the Galápagos tortoise (with an average lifespan over 150 years), the marine iguana, and various species of Darwin’s finches (often used as an example of natural selection in biology class). The Charles Darwin Research Station, located on the islands, allows for ongoing scientific investigation and aids in the discovery of new species.
6
Human activity has been a large contributor to the introduction of invasive species, of which there are estimated to be over 1,300. This phenomenon is viewed as a significant threat to biodiversity, as invasive species can sometimes become dominant at the expense of other species.
7
Some examples of human activity on the islands over the years have included the development of various penal colonies (19th and 20th centuries), the arrival of Norwegian and German colonists (1920s and 1930s), and the presence of an American military base during World War II. Some of the more unique interactions have involved local fisherman taking tortoises and/or scientists hostage at the Charles Darwin Research Station in order to protest conservation efforts that result in fishing quotas.
8
The human population of the islands is in the range of 25,000. This population is confined to the 2.5 percent or so of the land area that is not protected (i.e. not part of the national park).
9
Since 1978, the islands have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What does that mean? Such landmarks or areas are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as being of outstanding universal value and meeting at least one out of 10 selection criteria (six of which are cultural and four of which are natural). The label can bring recognition, legal protection, and funding. As of 2020, a total of 1,121 such entities exist across 167 countries.
10
Air travelers must access the islands via one of two mainland Ecuadorian cities, namely Guayaquil or Quito (Ecuador’s capital). From there, flights land on either Baltra Island or San Cristóbal Island. Travelers can then pursue a land-based stay (hotel with day trips) or a boat-based stay (cruise).
No offense to Little Galloo Island, but we would guess that the Galápagos Islands are a slightly more dynamic place to visit. But if you do take that step, just don’t bring any invasive species.
