Geography Galapagos
- Created by: Tilly Nevin
- Created on: 26-03-13 16:36
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- Galapagos Islands
- 50 volcanic islands lie 1000km west of South America in the Pacific, belonging to Ecuador
- Charles Darwin formulated his theory of evolution after a voyage here
- 90% of the islands are National Park/ marine reserve
- Protection began in 1930s
- Islands are the most precious, fragile ecosystems in the world
- First UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979
- Biosphere reserve and whale sanctuary
- Tourists under strict rules: arrive by small ships that tour the islands and allow people on only at specific points in limited numbers. 8 day cruises costs £800 without flights.
- Galapagos conservation trust receives £25 out of their holiday which pays for conservation work
- Tour boats owned by locals and take 10-16 tourists each, many accompanied by guides (pros). Visitors given accurate information and prevented from causing damage.
- Problems
- Over used sites, oil from boats polluting, islands' water supply put under pressure, death of animals, illegal fishing, erosion, new species threaten old, new diseases, overharvestingof sea cucumbers
- Benefits
- Environmental
- Local people have to make a living but the fragile environment with such limitations for agriculture and other basic industries makes this hard so opportunities can arise without environmental damage.
- Encourages sustainable management
- Economic
- Local businesses provide to the needs of tourists. Companies have grown to provide boat trips.
- People employed, income enough to make difference to household, tips directly to locals.
- Social
- Infrastructure, schools, education
- Environmental
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