Right along the equator, hundreds of miles from Ecuador, lie the unique Galapagos Islands. There are nineteen islands that make up Galapagos, and they are greatly spread out. They are formed by volcanoes, which some of the islands are still enlarging in size. A stunning 97% of these islands are public parks. Most of the folks who live in the Galapagos Islands are Ecuadorians. Often the islands are unoccupied, yet the people who do live there normally make their living off of agriculture, fishing, and tourism. The names of the islands originated from the Spanish word “galapagos” because there were so many humongous tortoises there. Also, they have thirteen known active volcanoes, plus one of the tallest volcanoes in the world. Furthermore, Galapagos is known for its different wildlife and plant life, which includes the only penguins that live in the Northern Hemisphere. These amazing islands are deep out in the sea and highly isolated. Lastly, everyone who visits the islands must be accompanied by a certified naturalist guide at all times. This policy is in place to help preserve the beauty and uniqueness of these islands for many generations to come.
Disclaimer: Made with the assistance of the Good and the Beautiful Curriculum.