In 1934, seeing the need to protect the unique environment of the Galapagos, the National Assembly of Ecuador passed protective legislation and created wildlife sanctuaries on some of the islands. Then, in 1959, as 95% of the islands and 50,000 sq miles of surrounding ocean was granted protection, an organization of scientists and conservationists established the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Charles Darwin Research Center, which officially opened in 1964. Four years later, the Galapagos National Park Service was formed.
UNESCO to place the Galapagos Islands on the World Heritage List in 1978, thereby bringing significant international pressure towards safeguarding this unique environment.
The aim of the Galapagos National Park is to preserve the islands’ unique and delicate environment. Upon entering the islands, visitors must pay a US$100 entry fee, some of which goes to the Ecuadorian Government and some of which goes to the park. To further protect the islands from the impact of tourism, visitors are restricted access to the islands to 50 visitor sites in addition to towns and public areas. Almost all of these sites are reached by boats which land on rocky or sandy beaches – there are few docks. Sometimes you have to get out of the boat and wade a few feet to the shore. Visitors must also have a qualified guide, which accompany every boat, when they enter visitor sites. These guides can be a valuable source of information about the wildlife and history, as well as ensuring that visitors do not harm the wildlife or wander off trails. Although there are around 500 or so registered guides on the Galapagos, only about 100 are active.
The Galapagos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is rightly one of the wonders of the world and worthy of being classed as a trip of a lifetime. Yet it is only one of the considerable attractions in Ecuador for the traveller. This country, at the smaller end of the scale in South America, offers within reachable distances the snow-capped mountains and volcanoes of the Andes, the endless rainforests of the Amazon, the colonial delights of Quito and Cuenca, and a colourful indigenous culture with its customs and lively markets.
Source : www.galapagosdiscover.com
July 11th, 2006
The Galapagos Islands have become famous worldwide for their unique wildlife and hauntingly beautiful landscape. Nicknamed “The Enchanted Isles” by pirates who used to frequent their rocky shores in the 18th century, the Galapagos have been gaining popularity as an adventure-filled vacation spot since their opening to organized tourism in the mid 1960’s.
The Galapagos was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978.
Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique “living museum and showcase of evolution”. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a “melting pot” of marine species. Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflects the processes that formed the islands. These processes, together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual animal life – such as the land iguana, the giant tortoise and the many types of finch – that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution following his visit in 1835.
The group of islands that make up the Galapagos are home to several species of fascinating fauna and flora, many of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth. Here you can spot a diversity of interesting and unique animals, the same wildlife that inspired Darwin to write his influential “On the Origin of Species” when he visited the islands in 1835. Having lived for thousands of years without the danger of predators, many of the animals are unafraid of people and will often let visitors come an arms-length away from them. The bird life is rich and diversified; no matter which month you come, you are certain to see courting behavior or young chicks. Hundreds of dragon-like marine iguanas can be seen basking on rocks, and visitors frequently spot giant tortoises, the namesake of the islands.
Providing a backdrop against the islands’ incredible wildlife is the striking volcanic landscape. Hikes and tours up to the volcanoes are available to visitors as well as shorter hikes around flows and fascinating lava formations. Beautiful beaches around the islands are full of fish, coastal birds and seals give visitors the opportunity to swim or dive while enjoying the diverse wildlife and magnificent, pristine land.
Certain to delight wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, the Galapagos Islands offer visitors an unforgettable, once in a lifetime vacation
July 11th, 2006