Where are the Galapagos Islands

Discover its exact setting with some important information and facts.

The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, North West of South America, exactly 600 miles (1000 Km) off Ecuador's Pacific Coast.

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

Here is where the Galapagos Giant Turtles live. The Islands occupy around 50,000 sq km (19,500 sq miles) of Ocean. The Equator line crosses the Islands as well as the country of Ecuador.

But where are the Galapagos Islands exactly? Well the exact coordinates are: Longitude 90°W; Latitude 0° 00'' See this Map of Galapagos Islands for a graphical view.

They were born by undersea volcanic activity, 5 million years ago as a result of violent volcanic eruptions. As the young Islands were cooling off, about two million years later, some species gradually arrived.

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They were live organisms carried by 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, they developed species unique to the Islands, with features not seen in their past ancestors. Most Galapagos Animals are unique in the world and can only be seen in this group of beautiful Islands.

Wildlife here are unafraid of man and so different from any others around the world. You can approach them easily without causing them to run or fly away.

The Galapagos Islands were visited by Charles Darwin in 1835 and it is also the place where you will have a truly relaxing and amazing time exploring through the main 13 major Islands and 6 smaller ones.

Experience the adventure of diving, swimming or snorkeling with playful sea lions, penguins, colorful tropical fish and watching friendly sharks cruise six feet under you.

For many visitors, coming to the Galapagos Islands is a dream come true. Many have dreamed for many years planning on visiting this Island paradise.

Now that you know where are the Galapagos Islands located, perhaps you would like to visit them sometime. Click Here to See Our Recommended Galapagos Tours

These Islands are called a Tropical Desert. The weather is set by a complex system of currents: The South Equatorial Current, Cromwell Current, Humboldt Current and El Niño Current.

Southeast trade winds are the prevailing winds. Galapagos lies at a storm-free belt in the tropics.

The marine life in Galapagos is protected, and thus named the Galapagos Marine Reserve (Americas' largest at 130,000 Km2) and it was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

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