Imagine stepping foot onto this mysterious dark land knowing it’s an estimated 3.5 million years old. Yes, million. This environmental haven awaits you 600 miles off the cost of Ecuador—complete with sea lions, iguanas, and tortoises galore waiting to welcome you.
“The historical grandeur of Ecuador shines with its own splendor in its monuments and in the deeds of its great men, zealously conserved in documents and archives in the libraries and picture galleries of the entire Hispanic world. However, Ecuador also vibrates with current and present time. The patina of tradition serves as a luster, but the old titles and nobiliary prerogatives were unable to prevent its ankylosis Conscious of this, many parts of Ecuador are modern and vigorous that march with the present and future of the country and of America.” —Ediciones Paralelo Cero
Cousins Rock is a centrally located diving site in the islands and was recently named “one of the most photographically productive dives in the central islands” by Scuba Diving magazine. Octopi, sharks, sea turtles and sea horses are among the myriad of species seen on a dive in this area.
Established in 1964, the Charles Darwin Research Station is located on the island of Santa Cruz. Scientists conduct research and projects here aimed at preserving the unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands.
Named after the famous scientist, Charles Darwin, Darwin is the smallest island of the Galapagos measuring one kilometer in area. The highlight of the island is the marine life as the island itself is not open for land visits. Dolphins, Green Turtles, Manta rays, Whale sharks, as well as Hammerhead, Galapagos and Blacktip sharks can be viewed while scuba-diving near the island.
Sierra Negra is a large shield volcano at the South eastern end of Isabela Island in the Galapagos that rises to an altitude of 1124m.
Dragon Hill is one of the best places to view land iguanas and other terrestrial species unique to the Galapagos. Flamingos and Sally Light Foot Crabs are only some of the wild animals that can be seen on the semi-challenging hiking trail along with goats, cats and dogs that have been introduced to the region and threaten the iguana population.
Links:[1] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1416 [2] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1417 [3] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1418 [4] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1419 [5] http://www.iesabroad.org/node/1420
Galápagos
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