The Galapagos archipelago is a volcanic group of Islands that lie in the east Pacific Ocean. They are formed
out of 19 Islands, dozens of other islets and volcanic rocks and have a total land area of 3,086 square miles,
spread over an area of sea covering some 20,000 square miles. Caused by the volcanic origin the coast is
rough and often dark from lava rock. The scenery is wild. There are also marvelous bays with the white sandy
beaches, which invite us to relax and enjoy the nature and surroundings. There is a clear contrast between
the dry, hot coastal regions and the humid, chill mountain regions.
There is also the Galapagos hotspot, a place where the Earth’s crust is being melted from below by a mantle
plume, creating volcanoes. The oldest Island is thought to have formed between 5 million and 10 million years
ago. The youngest Islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are still being formed, with the most recent volcanic
eruption in April 2009 when lava from the volcanic Island Fernandina started flowing both towards the Island’s
shoreline and into the center caldera.
The Islands are geologically young and famed for their vast number of endemic species, which were studied
by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. His observations and collections contributed to the
inception of Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.
Please contact us if you wish to combine Galapagos Islands with other visits in Ecuador