Galapagos The Paradise of Enchaded Islands
Charles Darwin once described the Galapagos Islands as an unusual paradise; shells of giant tortoises, iguanas black shapes of dragons and sea lions facing the sea shouting that amazed the English naturalist almost 200 years ago: in them the greatest biodiversity known to man appear.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, less than 1000 kilometers from the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands mark the key point of the legendary land circumnavigation trip that laid the groundwork for Darwin develop his theory of the origin of species.
Here in this reservoir of biological diversity, live nearly two thousand endemic species, including the famous giant tortoises that Darwin and the marvel is popularly been given the name Galapagos tortoises.
Made up of 13 main volcanic islands and hundreds of smaller islands, the archipelago receives a number of travelers has been growing steadily in the last decade, encouraged by the daily flights arriving from Guayaquil.
Declared in 1979 as a World Heritage Site, the archipelago is almost entirely a National Park; since 1959 the government of Ecuador found that 97.5 percent of its surface area was protected. Unaffected areas as reserved areas are occupied by the few urban centers that are in the islands, including Puerto Ayora, the main town which is located on the island of Santa Cruz, where about 15,000 people live. This city is the tourist hub of the archipelago, from where you can catch almost all the boats that cross the islands.
Other attractions: The white sand beach of Tortuga Bay is another charming sites that the archipelago offers for tourism. Walking along the coast of Tortuga Bay is always a unique treat for any nature lover.
North course is the most sought Santiago Island, also called San Salvador, noted for its extraordinary beaches, sea lions, seals, flamingos and small finches.
North Seymour is possible to find several colonies of sea lions, real frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas. Certainly, small islands like North Seymour, allow to know the Galapagos in a state of nature almost untouched today is hard to find.
Source: National Geographic Travel