Isabela Island, largest of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. It lies in the eastern Pacific Ocean 600 miles (965 km) west of mainland Ecuador and has an area of 2,249 square miles (5,825 square km). … Unique to the island are
flightless cormorants and penguins
.
What is the largest Galapagos island?
The largest of the islands,
Isabela (Albemarle)
, is approximately 82 miles (132 km) long and constitutes more than half of the total land area of the archipelago; it contains Mount Azul, at 5,541 feet (1,689 metres) the highest point of the Galapagos Islands. The second largest island is Santa Cruz.
Why is Isla Isabela the largest island?
The archipelago's largest island, Isabela, was
formed by the joining of five young volcanoes
. While these volcanic regions contain extensive lava fields and little vegetation, the southern highlands and various other regions are covered by dense vegetation including the unique red mangrove.
Do people live on Isla Isabela?
Despite being the largest island by area, Isla Isabela
is home to only 2,200 residents
, but that's what makes it the ultimate Galapagos paradise, where nature and wildlife dominate the landscape!
What country owns Isla Isabela?
| Native name: Isabela | Highest elevation 1,707 m (5600 ft) | Highest point Volcán Wolf | Administration | Ecuador |
|---|
What currency is used in Galapagos?
The US dollar
is the official currency of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
How warm is the water in the Galapagos?
Water temperatures warm to
about 74 degrees Fahrenheit
.
What language do they speak in the Galapagos Islands?
The official language of the Galapagos Islands is
Spanish
. However due to the recent upswing in tourism, the Galapagos Islands have become one of the most multilingual destinations in South America, with guides, hoteliers, and other islanders fluent in Spanish, English, German, and French, among other languages too.
Do humans live on Galapagos?
Where do people live in Galapagos and how is the population growing?
Only four of the archipelago's thirteen major islands have human populations
: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana.
Are the Galapagos Islands safe?
The Galapagos is an extremely safe travel destination
. very little crime occurs in the islands and because tourism plays an important role in the economy of the islands and the Galapagos National Park, strict rules are in place when it comes to migrating to the islands.
What animals live on Isabela Island?
Land birds, including several species of the famed
Darwin's finches, Galapagos doves
, and Galapagos hawks enjoy the uplands. Along the beach, Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine and land iguanas, and lava lizards can all be found.
What color is the sand on Isla Rabida?
Rabida is perhaps best known for its
red sand
beaches. Several small volcanic craters and the high amount of iron in the lava give the island its distinctive red color and overall appearance. Marine iguanas and sea lions can often be found resting in the shade of the nearby caves.
Is Ecuador a Spanish country?
Ecuador was part of the Inca Empire until the Spanish arrived and claimed the country as a Spanish colony. For three hundred years the Spanish controlled Ecuador. In 1822,
Ecuador became independent of Spain
.
What island is 600 miles from the US?
Bermuda (Somer's Isles)
has 6 main islands and 120 others. There are nine parishes (counties), each 2.3055 square miles (3.68 square kilometers. It has about 65,000 residents and about 500,000 visitors mostly from cruise ships. It is located about 600 miles due east of the nearest mainland, the USA's North Carolina.
Can you stay on the Galapagos Islands?
A: The Galapagos has four inhabited islands that each offer hotel options:
Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana
. The other islands and islets of the archipelago are not inhabited by humans, and do not permit any overnight stays. In fact, visiting sites are only accessible from 6 am to 6 pm.
Are there pink iguanas?
Pink iguanas are not just a different colour from other land iguanas; they are a completely separate species.
There are only around 200 left
, and they are confined to the slopes of Wolf Volcano on Isabela, making them one of the most vulnerable species in Galapagos, as the volcano is still active.
