The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator about 973 km (604 miles) west of mainland Ecuador in South America. They belong to Ecuador and form the Galápagos Province of the country
. The islands lie roughly between coordinates 1°40'N–1°36'S latitude and 89°16'–92°01'W longitude, with some islands in the northern hemisphere and others in the southern hemisphere, bisected by the equator
. The archipelago consists of 19 islands, including 13 major islands and 6 smaller ones, spread over a total land area of about 8,010 square km (3,093 square miles)
. The Galápagos are situated approximately 600 to 1000 km (about 370 to 620 miles) off the coast of Ecuador, making Ecuador the closest mainland to the islands
. The islands are renowned for their unique wildlife and volcanic landscapes, and they are protected as part of Ecuador's Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve
. In summary:
- Location: Eastern Pacific Ocean, on the equator
- Distance from mainland Ecuador: About 973 km (604 miles) west
- Country: Ecuador
- Number of islands: 19 (13 major, 6 smaller)
- Total land area: Approximately 8,010 km² (3,093 sq mi)
- Coordinates: Around 0.5°S latitude, 90.5°W longitude
This remote island group is famous for its biodiversity and was instrumental in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection
