What is the Galapagos?

The Galápagos Islands are a chain of islands, or archipelago, in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They are part of the country of Ecuador, in South America. The Galápagos lie about 966 kilometers (600 miles) off of the Ecuadorian coast.

What are the Galapagos and why are they important?

Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador lie the volcanic islands of the Galápagos, famous for a wealth of unique plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. The Galápagos Islands were the source of Darwin’s theory of evolution and remain a priceless living laboratory for scientists today.

What was Darwin’s theory on the Galapagos Islands?

Over time, Darwin began to wonder if species from South America had reached the Galapagos and then changed as they adapted to new environments. This idea—that species could change over time—eventually led to Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.

Who observed the Galapagos and what theory did it lead to?

The name of Charles Darwin and his famous book The Origin of Species will forever be linked with the Galapagos Islands. Although he was only in the Galapagos for five weeks in 1835, it was the wildlife that he saw there that inspired him to develop his Theory of Evolution.

Where is Galapagos?

Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands are a chain of islands, or archipelago, in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They are part of the country of Ecuador, in South America. The Galápagos lie about 966 kilometers (600 miles) off of the Ecuadorian coast.

Did you know facts about Galapagos?

20 Fun Facts about the Galapagos Islands

• 97 % of the Galapagos is a national park.
• Galapagos has active volcanos.
• The number of islands is up for debate.
• Three varieties of colorful boobies (seabirds)
• Penguins in the Northern Hemisphere?!?
• Marine iguanas are excellent swimmers.
• Any time is a great time to visit.

What is special about Galapagos?

It is approximately 129 kilometers (80 miles) long. Repeated volcanic eruptions helped to form the rugged mountain landscape of the Galápagos Islands. The Galápagos are best known for their diverse array of plant and animal species. Many species are endemic, which means they are not found anywhere else in the world.

Why were the Galapagos important to Darwin?

In Charles Darwin’s day, the Galápagos Islands were perhaps the best place in the world to observe evidence of evolution by natural selection. They still are. The 19 islands are the tips of volcanoes that began emerging from the ocean some five million years ago, steaming with fresh lava and devoid of life.

Why are the Galápagos Islands important to the theory of evolution?

The Galapagos Islands are an evolutionary hotspot due to the lack of competition and predators in the islands, as well as their isolated location. This means that animals are able to evolve almost unhindered in order to adapt to their surrounding environment.

Which idea explains Darwin’s observations about Galápagos Islands finches?

1: Darwin’s Finches: Darwin observed that beak shape varies among finch species. He postulated that the beak of an ancestral species had adapted over time to equip the finches to acquire different food sources.

Who owns Galápagos?

2. Who Owns the Galapagos Islands? Similar to the way that the Hawaiian Islands are a part of the United States, the Galapagos Islands are a part of the neighboring country of Ecuador, located in South America.

When was Galápagos discovered?

March 10, 1535
The world first heard about Galapagos more than 470 years ago. The Dominican friar, Fray Tomás de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama, was the official discoverer, arriving on March 10, 1535.

Why is Galapagos called Galapagos?

In 1570 the Galapagos Islands were included in a world atlas by a Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius. He named the islands ‘Insulae de los de Galapagos’. The shells of the giant tortoises reminded the visitors of horse saddles, and Galapagos comes from the Spanish word for saddle.

Where is the Galapagos?

The Galapagos archipelago is located about 1,000 km from continental Ecuador and is composed of 127 islands, islets and rocks, of which 19 are large and 4are inhabited.

Who discovered Galapagos?

Fray Tomás de Berlanga

Why is Galapagos island famous?

The islands are known for their famously fearless wildlife and as a source of inspiration for Darwin’s theory of evolution. And that’s just part of the story. Born of fire: The Galápagos Archipelago is one the most volcanically active areas in the world.

Why did the Galapagos inspire Darwin’s theory of natural selection?

Charles Darwin realized that the different islands that make up the archipelago were home to similar but different species. However, the unique creatures were perfectly adapted to their environments. This led him to ponder the origin of the inhabitants of these islands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5rRqet4tvE