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The Galápagos or Galapagos Islands are named for their giant tortoises, [3] which were more plentiful at the time of their discovery. The Spanish word galápago derives from a pre-Roman Iberian word meaning "turtle", the meaning it still has in most dialects.
The Galápagos Islands are home to a remarkable number of endemic species. The stark rocky islands (many with few plants) made it necessary for many species to adapt to survive and by doing so evolved into new species. It was after visiting the Galápagos and studying the wildlife that a young Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution. [2]
A UNESCO mission arrived in Galapagos on 29 April to study the progress made since 2007. A favorite of visitors to the Galapagos is Tortuga Bay, located on the Santa Cruz Island, about a 20-minute walk from the main water taxi dock in Puerto Ayora. The walking path is 1.55 miles (2,490 m) and is open from six in the morning to six in the evening.
The islands were described as "the Galopegos Insulae" (Turtle Island). The Galapagos were used by pirates hideout in English as trips to plunder Spanish galleons carrying gold and silver from America to Spain. The first known pirate to visit the islands was Richard Hawkins, in 1593. From then until 1816 many pirates came to the archipelago.
The Galápagos spreading centre (GSC) consists of two main sections, linked by the Galápagos Transform (GT). The western section extends from the propagating tip of the GSC (about 30 km east of the East Pacific Rise) for about 1200 km (750 miles) to the northern end of the transform.
Genetic research has shown that a female specimen discovered on one of the Galapagos Islands three years ago was related to the only previously-known example, found in 1906.
Captive Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years. [5] For example, a captive individual, Harriet, lived for at least 175 years. Spanish explorers, who discovered the islands in the 16th century, named them after the Spanish galápago, meaning "tortoise". [6] Galápagos tortoises are native to seven of the Galápagos Islands.
Here's how busking helped them earn enough for trips to Denmark and the Galápagos Islands. ... Our youngest is passionate about axolotls and ancient history. Each of them dreams of far-off places ...