by Eileen Swee Lian Goh

Created on: February 14, 2009   Last Updated: February 26, 2009

THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 973 kilometers off the west coast of Equador in South America, is the archipelago of volcanic islands known as the Galapagos or the "Enchanted Islands". The archipelago comprises 13 main and 6 smaller islands, with 107 rocks and islets scattered over a total area of 45000 square kilometers, between latitudes 01 40 N and 01 36 S and longitudes 89 16 W and 92 01 W.

SEASONS OF THE GALAPAGOS

Equatorial winds, ocean currents and, at times, El Nino, influence the Galapagos' tropical climate which undergoes two seasonal changes annually.

Warm and Wet Season

Between December and May, trade winds from the north and the Panama Current bring warm weather and intermittent heavy rainfall to the islands; the average sea and air temperature rises to 25 degrees Celsius, and sunshine and clear blue skies predominate. The warm waters of the Galapagos are excellent for swimming, snorkeling and scuba-diving.

Cool and Dry or Garua Season

From June to November, trade winds from the south and south-east and the Humboldt Current from Antarctica cool the Galapagos' weather; the average temperature drops to 22 degrees Celsius, clouds and frequent light rain ("garuas") predominate and a dense mist covers the islands. Strong winds and turbulent seas may be evident during the months of August, September and October.

WILDLIFE OF THE GALAPAGOS

Many of the endemic species on the Galapagos are unique to the islands. Due to centuries of isolation, the Galapagos flora and fauna have adapted to their environment and developed features not found in species from other parts of the world. It was in the Galapagos that the nineteenth-century British naturalist, Charles Darwin, began formulating his Theory of Evolution based on the process of Natural Selection.

During the warm and wet months between December and May, wildlife in the Galapagos' tropical and cactus forests thrive. The Galapagos Land Iguanas can be found on the lava rocks adjacent to the Galapagos volcanoes; these iguanas feed on raw cacti.

The warm season is also the mating time of the Galapagos Hawks, the islands' main scavengers. Nests of the Galapagos Hawks, which are fashioned from sticks, grass, bark and leaves and may reach 120 centimeters in diameter, can be found low in trees, on lava ledges and on the ground, with the mating pair in them.

Another species active during the warm season is the Galapagos Mockingbird, the nest of which can be found in trees and cacti.

During the garua

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