Galapagos Islands

Group of 12 large and several hundred smaller islands in the Pacific lying 800 km/500 mi off the coast of Ecuador, of which they form a province; area 7,800 sq km/3,000 sq mi; population (2001) 18,600. This island group, of volcanic origin, includes the six main islands of San Cristóbal (where the capital of the same name is situated), Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana, Santiago, and Fernandina, as well as 12 smaller islands, with other islets. Volcán Wolf, at 1707 m/5600 ft, on Isabela I is the highest peak. The Galapagos National Park was established in 1934 and, because of the unique fauna, the islands have been established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were uninhabited when discovered by Spanish explorers in 1535; no colony was established. They were annexed by Ecuador in 1832.

The vegetation ranges from from lava deserts to tropical forests and native wildlife includes the largest known tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus, whose shell can reach a length of 1.2 m/4 ft. Other creatures living there include iguanas, penguins, flightless cormorants, and Darwin's finches, which inspired English naturalist Charles Darwin to formulate the principle of evolution by natural selection. The marine ecosystem surrounding the island supports 437 species of fish, 41 of which are unique to the Galapagos. The main industry is tuna and lobster fishing.

Conservation threats
The islands' biodiversity is under threat from several sources. The human population is growing at an unsustainable rate of 8% per year (1995). Introduced species have caused damage, and in 1996 a US$5 million, five-year eradication plan commenced in an attempt to rid the islands of introduced species such as goats, rats, deer, and donkeys. El Niño has adversely affected the marine ecosystem. And in January 2001, an oil slick from a stranded tanker threatened the islands, but winds and shifting ocean currents helped disperse the oil before much damage was done.