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 Santa
Cruz: Located
centrally it is the second biggest island, 380 square miles. Like some
of the other islands it is almost circular, about 26 miles long and 19
miles wide. Santa Cruz, the most frequently visited island in the
archipelago, is often described as the point of embarkation for any
Galapagos journey. It is only a short ferry ride
away from the Baltra airstrip, the most common means of entry to the
islands. In Puerto Ayora, travelers can charter
small boats to farther-flung Galapagos destinations, and here, too,
one mile to the east on the coast of Academy Bay, one may experience a
positive result of human habitation-the Charles Darwin Research
Station, a haven of scientific inquiry and information and a breeding
spot for the famed giant tortoise.
San Cristobal: San Cristobal Island is the fifth biggest island
of the Galapagos. It is lozenge-shaped, about 30 miles long and 10
miles wide. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital, is on the
southwest point. One hour northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is Isla
Lobos. This small island is separated from the main island by a narrow
stretch of rough waters. There is a trail where lava lizards are often
seen. Upon its rocky shores, blue-footed boobies nest (in season),
while sea lions rest and play.
Fernandina: Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galapagos.
It's also one of the most volcanically active islands, as eruptions
occur every few years. It's exciting to see how every few years the
landscape and life on Fernandina change. The visitor site Punta
Espinoza is situated at the northeast coast of the island. There you
find the biggest colony of marine iguanas. Hundreds of them are
sunbathing on the rocks. Besides the island is home to flightless
cormorants, Galapagos penguins and sea lions. Mangroves and cacti
dominate the vegetation.
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Isabela: The largest Island in the archipelago is the
4588-sq-kmIsabela which occupies over 58% of the entire land mass of
the Galapagos,. It was formed by the volcanoes Cerro Azul, Sierra
Negra, Alcedo, Darwin, Wolf and Ecuador that conflated to one island.
This island is marvelous, however. There are a larger number of
Galapagos tortoises, and it looks like Isabela is going become more
important in Galapagos tourism in the years come. Located on the
southeastern coast of Isabela. Puerto Villamil is the main settlement
areas on Isabela. A small peaceful town with a laid back atmosphere
offers quite a different experience than the tourist shops on Puerto
Ayora.
Santiago: Also called James, or San Salvador Island, is located
in the west central part of the Galapagos archipelago. It is the
fourth largest of the islands and has several excellent visitor sites
within 585 sq-km. Santiago has several visitor sites. Three of the
sites are close together on the northwest coast of the island. James
Bay is the most visited point on the west side of the island. Puerto
Egas carves out a corner of James Bay. On the eastern coast of James
Island is Sullivan Bay. There you can admire a large area of fresh
pahoehoe (ropey) lava flows dating from an eruption in 1897. continues...
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