Galapagos Island Geography
Complete description of Galapagos Island Geography with accurate coordinates of its location.
Included on this page is a description of the most important islands, volcanoes and ecosystems. The Galapagos Islands belong to the country of Ecuador in South America and are located 600 miles west of the coast of this country in the Pacific Ocean.
The coordinates of Galapagos are: 1° 40' N--1° 36' S--89° 16' E--92° 01' W. This means that the Galapagos Islands are located right on the Equator Line in both the northern and southern hemisphere.
The Galapagos Island named Tower is the northernmost island, Espaņola is the southernmost island and Isabela island is located right on the equator line.The Galapagos Island geography consists of 13 major islands and 6 smaller ones with more than 40 small islets sprinkled all around the region. The total area of the islands is of around 5,000 square miles. The biggest island of this Archipelago is Isabela with an area of more than 1,700 square miles. Most Important Islands in GalapagosGalapagos VolcanoesThe official name of the Galapagos Islands is Archipelago of Colon, and they are a group of Islands that are constantly expanding due to volcanic eruptions with new lava fields always developing and changing the Galapagos Island geography. Learn more about Galapagos Geology hereThe Galapagos Islands are quite young, around five million years old. Some of the islands located West are the ones that have the most volcanic activity and are also the youngest ones with a few hundreds of thousands of years old. The Galapagos landscapes on these Islands are just stunning.
Wolf volcano located on Isabela Island is the highest elevation in Galapagos and it has an altitude of 5600 ft. Other volcanoes located in this Galapagos island are: Sierra Negra (4890 feet), Cerro Azul, Chico Volcano and Bocanilla Volcano. Here are more details about Galapagos islands volcanos
Fernandina volcano located on the island of the same name is the most active volcano in the Galapagos Islands. The most recent eruption of Fernandina Volcano was on May 2005. Read about this Galapagos eruption
Galapagos EcosystemsThe Islands have four main ecosystems. The first ecosystem is composed by arid lowlands and open forests with enormous cacti.The second ecosystem consists of Galapagos Cactus from Santiago Island with subtropical forests. The third ecosystem is found at higher elevations, it is composed of moist, dense forests. And the fourth ecosystem is composed of treeless upland areas covered with ferns and grasses. Check the Map of Galapagos Islands to have a better idea of the size of each island that composes this Archipelago which also includes more information on Galapagos Island geography. As of today, there are only four islands in Galapagos that are populated by humans.
Galapagos Tourism is the main business in the islands but fishing, cattle, vegetables and coffee are also very popular. If you are interested here's a good description of Galapagos Islands food
More About the Galapagos:Charles Darwin and Galapagos
Facts on Galapagos Island
Flight to Galapagos
Galapagos Volcano
Galapagos Volcano Eruption
Pictures of Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Recommended ReadingGalapagos Islands Born of Fire This book is elegantly structured with stunning pictures of Galapagos Wildlife, Geology and Vegetation. It is truly a wonderful and inspiring photo book. (This book is just superb!)The Diving Guide: Galapagos Islands The Galapagos Islands, is world renowned for adrenaline-charged diving and unique, fearless wildlife. These "Enchanted Islands" beckon both divers and non-divers from around the globe who come to dive with whale sharks and walk with giant tortoises.
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