To witness incredible volcanic explosions is a unique experience! The number of islands is up for debate 1. Three varieties of colorful boobies (seabirds) But that doesn’t mean that all of these islands are inhabitable or significant. 6. Watching a volcanic eruption is one of the most thrilling and surreal experiences; it is an important part of island formation and one of the most fascinating examples of geology at work. "@type": "Question", The intersection of three tectonic plates, 12. However, keep in mind that, due to continuous volcanic activity, the Galapagos Islands are in a constant state of change with new formations emerging or sinking, meaning new islands may very well be forming as we speak! 2. 8. The result is infrequent volcanic activity and incredibly diverse landscapes – a spectacular visual feast! { "@type": "Answer", The Galápagos Islands are an equatorial archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos penguin is the second smallest species of its kind and is typically observed on the western islands of Isabela and Fernandina. 19. Here are a number of interesting facts about the Galapagos Islands to pique your curiosity. This includes such exotic flora and fauna as giant cacti, finches, flightless cormorants, and the famed giant tortoise, whose average lifespan of 100 years makes it the longest living vertebrate on earth. Ocean currents are rather unpredictable Read our top 10 interesting facts about the UNESCO awarded Galapagos Islands. Ecuadorian residents: (+593) 99 145 0325 "acceptedAnswer": { Rest of the world: (+593) 99 738 3883, For Travel Agents Swimming with sea turtles" Image Credits: Francisco Dousdebés, I want to go as well! This limits the number of visitors to sites in any set window of time. This makes the islands a seafood lover’s delight—as well as a scuba diver's or snorkeler's paradise. Galapagos is named after its tortoises. The Galapagos Islands are situated in the Pacific Ocean about 575 mi (926 km) to the east of the Ecuadorian mainland. The remaining 3% of land areas, outside of the national park, are home to roughly 30,000 people. The Galápagos Islands are made up of 20 islands, 42 islets, and over 250 rocks. You can see many of these first hand when snorkeling in the Galapagos National Park. Here are a few fun facts about the Galapagos. "name": "galapagos islands facts", Wild animals have little fear of humans Less than 79,000 visitors tour Galapagos on live-aboards annually Throughout the year, land temperature averages range from 79° to 86°F (26.1° to 30°C), while ocean temperatures along the island coasts hover around 71° to 78°F (21.7° to 25.6°C). Here are a number of interesting facts about the Galapagos Islands to pique your curiosity. Taken from Cruise Critic’s article ‘So Far from Mass Tourism’: How the Galapagos Islands Could Help Restart Cruises: “One company has already quietly restarted its operations in the Galapagos. Visit the old Post Office bay at Floreana island. We own and operate the finest Galapagos Island Expedition Small Cruise Ship, Yacht and Vessel. "text": "11. 20. 4. sounds so fun I love animals. The islands see more rainfall in the hot season, which also features calmer seas and slightly warmer ocean temperatures around 79°F (26°C). Ninety-seven percent of the islands are a national park and half of the land species (and one fifth of the marine species) are endemic to the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands are comprised of a total of 19 islands and dozens of islets. There are still active volcanoes on the Galapagos Islands. Experience the colorful upwellings in the archipielago. The Top 7 Most Interesting Species Found Only in The Galapagos, An Adventure Seeker’s Guide to Touring the Galapagos. 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