The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, approximately 900 to 1,000 kilometers (about 560 to 620 miles) west of the coast of Ecuador in South America. They straddle the Equator, placing some islands in the Northern Hemisphere and others in the Southern Hemisphere
. The islands form the Galápagos Province of Ecuador and consist of 13 major islands, 6 smaller islands, and numerous islets and rocks. The archipelago covers a total land area of about 3,000 square miles (around 8,000 square kilometers) scattered over a vast ocean area of roughly 23,000 to 50,000 square miles (59,500 to 130,000 square kilometers)
. The Galápagos are situated about 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) off Ecuador’s coast, with the closest mainland being Ecuador itself. The largest island is Isabela, and the islands are known for their unique wildlife and volcanic landscapes
. In summary, the Galápagos Islands lie in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 km west of Ecuador, on both sides of the Equator
