Map and Geography of the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Archipelago lies about 1,000 km west of mainland Ecuador and consists of over 100 islands and islets. Thirteen of the islands are larger than 10 km², while six others range between 1 and 10 km². Only 20 of the islands can be visited, most of them accessible only via cruise ships. The total land area of the archipelago is about 8,000 km², and 59,500 km² of the Pacific Ocean are part of the islands’ territory.
The Galapagos is one of the few island groups located in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Its rugged landscape is shaped by dried lava flows, craters, cliffs, and volcanoes, many of which remain active today. The highest point is Cerro Azul Volcano (1,689 m) on Isabela Island. The climate is mild to warm year-round, with temperatures averaging between 21°C and 30°C. December to May is warmer, while June to November is cooler and drier.
Formation
The Galapagos Islands formed around 5 million years ago due to tectonic and volcanic activity on the ocean floor. Located on the Nazca Plate, which moves 7 cm per year toward the mainland, submarine eruptions from over 2,000 craters led to the growth of the volcanoes above sea level. The process of volcanic activity and plate movement continues today, making the southeastern islands older. Geologically, the islands are still considered young, with the most volcanic activity occurring on the youngest islands, Isabela and Fernandina.
Settlement and Population
Archaeological evidence suggests the islands were visited in pre-Columbian times, but it’s unclear if they were permanently settled. Officially, the islands were discovered on March 10, 1535, by Spanish Bishop Tomás de Berlanga, who named them Las Islas Encantadas (“The Enchanted Islands”). Pirates, whalers, and English settlers used the islands as hideouts or for hunting sea lions and tortoises from the 16th to 19th centuries. Ecuador annexed the islands in 1832, and in 1835, the British ship Beagle arrived, with Charles Darwin onboard. His studies on the islands later contributed to his theory of evolution.
Today, only five islands are inhabited: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, Floreana, and Baltra, with a total population of around 33,000 people. Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz is the largest town, while Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal is the capital.
Conservation
The Galapagos National Park covers 799,540 hectares. In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared 97.5% of the Galapagos landmass a protected area, and in 1978, UNESCO recognized the islands as a World Heritage Site. Despite conservation efforts, conflicts arose with the growing local population and fishing industry. The establishment of the Galapagos Marine Reserve in 1998 imposed strict fishing regulations, contributing to these tensions. Tourism also increased, introducing invasive species. To prevent the islands from losing their World Heritage status, the Ecuadorian government declared them an ecological risk zone in 2007. Due to further regulations, they were removed from UNESCO’s endangered list in 2010.
In 2022, Ecuador’s president signed a decree expanding the marine reserve by 60,000 km², bringing the protected area to 198,000 km². This move supports the migration routes of endangered marine species.
On our website, you’ll find travel options for visiting the Galapagos, including island-hopping and cruise tours, as well as trips through Ecuador’s mainland.
