History of Galapagos

The first people to set foot on the Galapagos Islands were probably South American Indians. However, the first written report of the islands was not discovered until 1535, by Tomas de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama.

Buccaneers

The islands were used by buccaneers in 1680 as a refuge and base for attacks on ships carrying gold stolen from the Incas on their way back to Europe. Not only did these pirates kill the iguanas and tortoises for food, but they also accidentally introduced the black rat to the islands.

Whalers and Hunters

Between 1790 and 1870, irreparable damage was done to the islands, the fur seals came very close to extinction and thousands of tortoises were killed for their meat or to make cooking oil. Also during this period goats, pigs and cattle were introduced to some islands. These animals ate the same vegetation as the reptiles, causing a shortage of food in the long-term.

By the time Darwin arrived in 1835, there were around 200-300 inhabitants, as the islands were being used as a penal colony. It was not until the 20th century that things improved.

Today about 18,000 people live in the archipelago. Most of these work in the fishing, tourism and farming industries.

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