By Tim Hommey
The Galapagos Islands are a chain of islands off of the coast of
South America. Noted for their rich biological diversity, the Galapagos have seen significant population growth over the past 50 years. This has drawn the attention of many international organizations concerned with the preservation of the world's natural and cultural locations.
Geography
The Galapagos Islands are 600 miles (1,000 km) off the coast of Ecuador---the country to which the islands belong. The island chain is officially known as the Archipelago of Colon.
Size
The Galapagos consist of 13 main islands and have a total land area of 4,897 sq. miles (7,880 sq. km).
Features
The islands were formed between 3 million and 5 million years ago from volcanic activity. The largest island in the chain, Isabela, is comprised of six volcanoes.
Geography
The Galapagos straddle the equator and lie in both the northern and southern hemispheres of the globe.
Famous Ties
In 1835, while on a specimen gathering expedition off the coast of South America, Charles Darwin noted the biological diversity of the Galapagos Islands. Darwin's observations of the wildlife on the Galapagos Islands inspired his theory of evolution and his book, "The Origin of Species".
Misconceptions
Due to its severe geologic conditions, it is commonly assumed that few people live on the islands of the Galapagos. However, it is estimated that there will be more than 40,000 inhabitants on the island by 2014.
Resources
About the Author:
Tim Hommey is a library and research professional and works as a Learning Resource Coordinator for Franklin University. He holds a Master of Arts in history and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University. Tim has been writing since 1989, and his work has been published both online and in smaller academic journals such as the "Indiana Magazine of History."
