Galapagos-Islands-TourGuide.com Offer complete guide & information about Galapagos island
Title
Galapagos Islands the Most Exotic and Incredible Islands are Waiting for YOU
Description
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS LOCATION
This alluring complex ecosystem is located 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador, northwest of South America in the Pacific Ocean.
The Galapagos are composed of 19 islands and more than 40 islets, with white sand beaches, dark and solid rocks, unique landscapes, deep crystal clear waters, a place where you can enjoy swimming with playful sea lions around you, watching friendly sharks cruise six feet under you.
It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. The marine reserve is the second largest in the world and possibly the most unique it is also a Biosphere Reserve and a Whale Sanctuary.
Many believe that the Galapagos Islands, especially because of their tropical location, are islands that stay the same and that during the year they offer the same wildlife.
But in reality the local tropical geography, next to a complex system of ocean currents, holds permanent change during the year. It is not only changes in the types of wildlife, but also behavioral changes of wildlife.
WILDLIFE OBSERVATION
Some of the most unusual and fascinating species in the world, both terrestrial and marine, are found in the Galapagos islands. Here most of the surface (96%) is a National Park, surrounded by a protected Marine Reserve, both UNESCO World Heritages Sites.
On Santa Cruz island, the Giant tortoises can be seen at the Charles Darwin Research Station (including famous Lonesome George, the only remaining tortoise from "Pinta" island). There are 15 sub-species of Giant Tortoises.
Some tortoises prefer the upland zones of the large islands because of humidity, grassy pastures and small ponds to drink and stagger about. Others prefer islands with low elevations, dry terrain, and with lots of prickly vegetation like cactus. The largest populations are found in Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island, and in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Tortoises keep growing for 30 or 40 years to almost 5 feet (1.5 m.) and weigh about 500 pounds (230 kg.). They can live up to 150 years and sometimes more.
BIRD WATCHING in GALAPAGOS
A total of 140 species of birds have been registered in Galapagos. About half of the resident birds cannot be seen , anywhere else in the world. You can observe shore and lagoon birds such as ducks, stilts, herons, warblers, pelicans and frigates all easily approachable, just like all the Galapagos animals.
Eight species of Darwin's Finches are found on Santa Cruz Island; most of which can be observed all around the island.
SNORKELING AND DIVING
The Galapagos Islands are considered a world premier destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The protected waters of its Marine Reserve have been well preserved, nearly untouched by external sources. Here the crossroads of marine currents has resulted in a unique marine ecosystem.
GALAPAGOS WEATHER
Although the islands are tropical, there are two markedly different seasons: the warm, humid and sunny season from December to May and the dry, windy and not-so-sunny season from June to November.
Transitional months are January, April and May. The Warm Season offers hardly any wind (so the sea is usually very calm) and the visibility tends to be better. In the Dry Season there is more wind, sometimes the sea tends to be variable with low visibility.
WATER TEMPERATURE
Surprisingly, its water temperatures range from 16°C to 27°C degrees Celsius (61°F - 80°F); divers use full wet (6mm) suits all year around and hoods in the cold season.
THE MEANING OF GALAPAGOS
Amongst the first groups that came to Galapagos, we had many of Spanish origin. In traditional Castilian language, the word "Galapago" was used to describe the frontal piece of the riding saddle, and upon seeing the many tortoises the islands had in earlier years, but more important, the shape of their carapace (shell), they named this archipelago "Islands of the Galapagos". And this is the official story of the name of these islands. Read more about the Galapagos Islands
My name is Eduardo Landazuri (better known as Zuri by my friends) I was born in Quito Ecuador in South America.
My passion for traveling around this beautiful country of Ecuador and especially to the Galapagos Islands inspired me to build this informative website.
I remember when I was a kid my parents used to take me and my brother to the Galapagos Islands almost every year during our summer vacations and sometimes during Christmas...
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- Eduardo Landázuri
