Physical Galapagos Map and Where are These Exotic Islands Located

Galapagos Map and the Islands Location

The following Galapagos Map shows the major islands which are located in the Pacific Ocean, North West of South America.

Exactly 1000 Km. (600 miles) off Ecuador's Pacific Coast.

They were born by undersea volcanic activity, 5 million years ago.

These Galapagos islands 13 major, 6 smaller ones, and scores of islets are all part of Ecuador's National Park system.

Galapagos Map

galapagos map

The Galapagos Islands emerged about five million years ago, give or take a million, as a result of violent volcanic action.

In geological terms, this should be considered a recent event.

As the young islands were cooling off, say, two million years later, some species gradually arrived.

They were live organisms riding, then as today, rafts of vegetation from the shores of Central and South America.

These early immigrants had to adapt to a peculiar new environment, and simply evolved -- slowly -- in a different direction from their continental ancestors.

And, wonders of nature, they developed species unique to the islands, with features not seen in their past ancestors.

NOTE: There are no International Airlines that fly directly to the Galapagos Islands yet.

You must fly to Ecuador first, either to Quito or Guayaquil and from any of these cities take a national flight to the Islands.

Here's an excellent resource to find cheap airline tickets to Galapagos and Ecuador. Click here for details

The only populated Islands are: Baltra, Santa Cruz, San Crist�bal, Isabela and Floreana.

Population of Galapagos islands: approx. 18,000 inhabitants.

There are two airports the main one at Baltra island (You arrive and departure from this airport) and the other at San Cristobal island.