Galapagos Tourism Chamber www.galapagostour.org The Galapagos Islands constitute one of the most complexes, diverse and unique oceanic archipelagos in the World that still maintains its ecosystems and biodiversity without great alterations. Its location and geographical isolation, as well as its biological wealth and the evolutionary processes reflected in its fauna and unique flora, have made them worthy of world recognition.

 

The Galapagos Islands are located on the equatorial line of the Pacific Ocean, 1,000 Km to the west of Continental Ecuador. It consists of more than 13 islets and rocks. The islands maintain several habitats with special characteristics that act as refuges for food and reproduction of different terrestrial and marine animals. Galapagos is an area geologically active, with formations such as Alcedo or Sierra Negra volcanoes which are some of the more interesting natural attractions of the archipelago. Sierra Negra (Black Highlands) has the second biggest volcanic crater in the world. The most recent eruption of the volcano Cerro Azul (Blue Hill) was registered in 1998. The total area of the islands is 7,882 Km2, scattered amongst 45,000 Km2 of sea. The sea bed of the Southwest Pacific has an extraordinary topography: mountains, summits, plateaus, and valleys where a great variety of marine species are found; the islands of the archipelago are the superficial tips of enormous volcanoes.

Ecuador Explorer www.ecuadorexplorer.com On land and in the sea, the Galapagos Islands give the impression of a diabolic Garden of Eden. The islands' tumultuous volcanic history of scorched earth and fiery flows are evident the moment you arrive. Inhospitable. Uninhabitable. Tortured. These are the adjectives inspired by the lava-sea-scape