The Galápagos Islands
In 2012, more than one hundred seventy thousand people visited the Galápagos Islands. It is the most famous wildlife-viewing destination in the world. However, these islands are not only filled with exotic animal species, they also contain a history that has become essential to the theory of evolution. The Galápagos Islands are more then a popular tourist attraction; they are nineteen islands of animal paradise, full of historical significance.
The Galápagos Islands are scattered across the equator. Politically that are Ecuadorian territory. The tourist attraction itself consists of nineteen of islands in northwestern South America. The formations of the islands are perhaps, the most interesting element of its geography. All of the major islands, with the exception of the largest one, Isabella, were formed from the top of the ocean floor. They were formed from the remains of volcanoes. Isabella was formed from six volcanoes that came together at sea level. Since the majority of the islands contain volcanoes on them, there is some fear of them erupting. (Destination)
Another fascinating aspect of the Galápagos Islands is its discovery. Contrary to numerous believes, the islands were actually discovered by accident in 1535 by Tomás de Berlanga. Berlanga was the first bishop of Panama who was sailing from Panama to Peru when he stumbled upon the islands. Once Berlanga realized what a discovery he had made, he reported his new finding to Charles V, the king of Spain. In his message to the king, he described these large tortoises, which he gave the name Galápagos tortoises. (History) These tortoises were King Charles’ inspiration in naming the island. Today, the Galápagos Tortoises are perhaps the most famou...
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...ic animals under water, in places you are not able to see on land or from a boat. Perhaps the easiest way to see the animals is walking around the islands. This is the easiest way to see the animals and plants in their natural habitat. A huge attraction in the Galápagos Islands are the beaches. The water has been described as clear and crystal blue, the Galápagos beaches are some of the best taken care of in the world. Tourists have the opportunity to sit and relax, while seeing animals play along the beach.
In conclusion it is clear that Galápagos Islands are a fascinating destination in the world. The popular magazine, National Geographic, even named the Galápagos Islands world heritage site. It is one because of it phenomenal tourism opportunities and its historical significance. After researching this topic, I would recommend the Galápagos Islands to anyone!
On November 19, 1493 Ponce de Leon was one of the first Europeans to see the small island of Borinquen, the Indian name for Puerto Rico. Ponce de Leon sailed to Puerto Rico in 1506 with two hundred men to the island and found out that it had rich gold deposits. He enslaved the natives, and forced them to mine gold for him. Ponce de Leon left Puerto Rico and returned again in 1508 this time he brought with him only fifty men. On this voyage his ship went through a terrible storm that caused him to run onto the rocks on two occasions. The crew was forced to throw over much of their supplies in order to keep the ship from sinking. After Ponce de Leon finally arrived in Puerto Rico he became the governor of the island. This caused him to become very wealthy, and the most powerful man on the island, who only received orders from the kind himself!
He describes the harbors on the islands as “beyond comparison” and the mountains are “beyond comparison with the island of Tenerife,” one of the largest of the Canary Islands (36). By comparing the islands with other locations known for their resources and beauty, Columbus is able to paint a picture of lands that are even more magnificent and worth colonizing. The picture Columbus is painting is of five islands with unlimited resources, vantage points, a harbor that can be a grand trading hub while all being surrounded by the beauty of God’s nature. His description makes it very difficult to pass up such an
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You should know about the Bahamas because it will be a great place to take your family on a vacation.
Published in 1493, Luis Santangel received the embellished journal of Christopher Columbus as validation for the much-promised riches in the Indies. Centered around an era of power and conquest, Columbus tapered his writings and findings to pacify his Royal sponsors for the voyage. Santangel was also one such wealthy sponsor. Although the tone of the letter was vastly hyperbolic, Christopher Columbus still managed to document the labeling of the numerous islands and its topography. Yet even the size and measurement is a bit exaggerated as well referring to one island being twice as large as that of Great Britain and Scotland. Columbus did his best to acknowledge various “thousands upon thousands” in this letter with that of spiceries and gold mines with mountains in a “thousand shapes...full of trees of a thousand kinds” as well as deeming the exotic islands incomparable to any other islands that “there could be no believing without seeing” firsthand. Colu...
Isla Fernandina is volcano that is located in the Galapagos Islands. This volcano is 4,500 feet (1,400 meters) in elevation. This volcano is a shield volcano which is a broad volcano built up from the repeated unexplosive eruption of basalt and it forms a low dome or shield, usually having a large caldera ...
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Charles Darwin began his scientific breakthroughs and upcoming theories when he began an expedition trip to the Galapagos Islands of South America. While studying there, he discovered that each island had its own type of plant and animal species. Although these plants and animals were similar in appearance, they had other characteristics that made them differ from one another and seem to not appear as similar. Darwin questioned why these plants and animals were on these islands and why they are different in ways.
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World Heritage Areas embody the diversity of the planet, and the achievements of its peoples. They are places of beauty and wonder; mystery and grandeur; memory and meaning. In short, they represent the best Earth has to offer. The pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal are some of the most outstanding examples of humanity’s cultural achievements. The Great Barrier Reef, the Galápagos Islands and Serengeti National Park are among the world’s greatest natural treasures. All of these places are on the World Heritage List.