Galápagos

This encyclopedia provides readers with a comprehensive look at the Galápagos Islands, from the wildlife and scientists that made them famous to the challenges and issues the islands face today.

In the mid-1800s, the Galápagos Islands served as Charles Darwin's playground, a volcanic archipelago where he famously worked on his theories of evolution and natural selection. But who actually discovered the islands? Why didn't any country claim them for more than 200 years? And is ecotourism hurting or helping these mysterious islands?

This volume explores the history, science, and culture of the Galápagos Islands. A preface, introduction, chronology, and "Galápagos at a Glance" primer introduce readers to the islands that are so famously associated with Charles Darwin. Twelve thematic essays allow readers to explore such topics as evolution, the geology of the islands, invasive species, and tourism in depth. Topical entries follow, covering key individuals and organizations as well as other important concepts and ideas.

Thirteen primary document excerpts allow readers to study firsthand accounts from explorers and visitors to the islands. Appendices, a glossary, a bibliography, and sidebars round out the text. Students of history, geography, and science will find this volume informative, while general readers will be intrigued to learn about these unique islands.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Abbreviations
Chronology
Galapagos at a Glance

Part I: Thematic Essays
Geology, Volcanoes, and Lava
Climate, Currents, and Weather
Darwin in Galapagos
The Mysteries of Floreana Island
Baltra and World War II
Giant Tortoises: The Galapagos of Galapagos
Darwin's Finches
Evolution in Galapagos: The Work of Rosemary and Peter Grant
Plants and Vegetative Zones
Tourism
Invasive Species
The Future of Galapagos

Part II: Topical Entries
Agassiz, Louis and Elizabeth
Agriculture
Albatross
Angermeyers
Baltra Pine
Baur, Georg
Beaches
Beebe, Charles William
Berlanga, Fray Tomas de
Biosecurity
Birds
Blackberry
Boats of Note
Boobies
Bowman, Robert I.
California Academy of Sciences Expedition 1905-1906
Casa Matriz
Charles Darwin Foundation and Research Station
Climate Change
Cobos, Manuel Julian
Coffee
Colnett, James
Colonization by Plants and Animals
Cowley, Ambrose
Creationism
Dampier, William
Darling, Sarah
Darwin, Charles Robert
Darwin's Finches: Truth and Legend
Darwin's Name in Galapagos
Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Irenaus
Fawkes, Guy
Filiate Science Antrorse: A Search for Utopia
The First Biological Research Station
Fish
FitzRoy, Robert
Flightless Cormorants
Frigatebirds
Galapagos
Galapagos Hawk
Galapagos Marine Reserve
Galapagos National Park
Galapagos Penguin
Galapagos Tomato
Geckos
Gould, John and Elizabeth
Governance: Galapagos Governing Council
Hawai'i: Comparisons with Galapagos
Hitler in Galapagos?
HMS Beagle
Hooker, Joseph Dalton
Hotel Galapagos
Huxley, Julian Sorell
Hydrothermal Vents
Intentionally Introduced Invaders
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
Invertebrates
Jessica
Kicker Rock
Lack, David
Land Iguanas
Lava Lizards
Lawson, Nicholas
Lonesome George
Lowe, Percy
Mammals
Mangroves
Maps
Marine Iguana
Melville, Herman
Mockingbirds
Movies
Names of Islands
Naturalist Guides
Norwegians
Opuntia (Prickly Pear Cactus)
Orchils
Palo Santo (Bursera spp.)
Penal Colonies
Philornis downsi
Pirates and Whalers
Post Office Bay
Project Isabela
Protecting Wildlife Before GNP
Quinine
Rays and Sharks
Reiser, Saydee
Roosevelt, Franklin Delano
Rules of Galapagos National Park
Salt and Minas de Sal
Scalesia
Sea Lions and Fur Sea Lions
Sea Turtles
Snakes
Special Law of 1998
Stokes, Pringle
Svaap
Towns
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Van Straelen, Victor
Villamil, Jose Maria
Von Hagen, Victor Wolfgang
Voyage of the Beagle, The
Wall of Tears
Watkins, Patrick
Waved Albatross
Wittmers
Wolf, Theodor

Part III: Primary Documents
Document 1: Tomas Berlanga Discovers Galapagos, 1535
Document 2: A Literary Pirate Visits Galapagos, 1684
Document 3: Ambrose Cowley Names Some Islands in Galapagos, 1688
Document 4: Woodes Rogers Describes His Tour of the Islands, 1709
Document 5: David Porter Describes Some of the Islands' Plants and Animals, 1812
Document 6: David Porter Wonders about the Origin of Galapagos' Strange Animals, 1812
Document 7: George Byron Finds "As Wild and Desolate a Scene as Imagination Can Picture," 1825
Document 8: "Our Respiration Now Became Difficult": An Eyewitness Account of a Terrifying Volcanic Eruption in Galapagos, 1825
Document 9: Charles Darwin's First Impressions of Galapagos, 1835
Document 10: Charles Darwin's Strange Encounters with Marine Iguanas, 1839
Document 11: Charles Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle, the World's Most Famous Writing about Galapagos, 1845
Document 12: Herman Melville and the Desolation of Galapagos, 1854
Document 13: Agassiz Disagrees with Darwin, 1872

Appendix 1: The Major Islands and Their Visitor Sites
Appendix 2: Darwin Aboard the Beagle
Glossary
Bibliography
Index