At the eastern end of the Pacific Ocean, where the Earth’s equator passes, there is a scattered island called the Galapagos Islands, with an area of 8010 square kilometers and a marine protected area of 13300 square kilometers. Friends who are familiar with geography and biology must not be unfamiliar with this place because it has unique geographical and climatic characteristics and is considered a paradise in the Earth’s biological world.
The Galapagos Islands, also known as the Cologne Islands, are a volcanic island located in the northwest Pacific Ocean of Ecuador in South America. It is composed of nearly a hundred islands formed by volcanic eruptions, with Isabella Island, which is shaped like a sea horse, having the largest area of approximately 4600 square kilometers. Due to the fact that the equator of the Earth passes through the middle of this archipelago, it should theoretically be one of the hottest areas in the world. However, in reality, the climate here is cool and humid, and temperatures rarely exceed 30 degrees Celsius. It can be said that it is not hot, and it is very rare in the entire equatorial zone of the Earth.
From a climate perspective, this archipelago is very livable, with over 20000 people living on it. In addition, penguins mainly living in Antarctica also live here, and large lizards, elephants, and other species mainly living in tropical regions also live here. In addition, there are many other unique creatures. Some people believe that it is the rich and unique species of life here that inspired and gave birth to Darwin’s theory of evolution, He was inspired to create the foundational work of modern biology, “The Origin of Species.”.
So why is the Galapagos Islands so bizarre? What is the reason for the unique climate, natural environment, and living species in this place? Actually, it is mainly caused by the action of ocean currents! The geographical location of this place is very special. The Pacific equatorial warm current comes from the west, the Peruvian cold current comes from the south, and the cold current from the North Pacific can also affect this place. At the intersection of the three ocean currents, the Peruvian cold current from the south is stronger. This cold current comes from the Antarctic circulation, and the water flow is unusually cold. After arriving at the equatorial region, although the water temperature rises, it is still lower than the air temperature here, So it makes the weather here cooler, just like the warm and humid climate in Western Europe caused by the North Atlantic Warm Current.
The unique geographical environment of the Galapagos Islands has formed a unique ecological environment. Due to its coolness all year round, most areas have temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, making it “tropical and not hot”. Sometimes the temperature is only around 15 degrees Celsius, which makes people feel a bit cold. Penguins, seals, and other animals living in high latitude areas also come here with ocean currents, and marine life is exceptionally abundant, preferring cold and warm There are all kinds of animals that enjoy rain and drought.
Due to the fact that most of the islands in this area are volcanic islands with uneven terrain, the areas on the windward slope receive more rainfall, making them relatively cool and humid, while the areas on the northerly slope receive less rainfall, making them relatively cool and dry. This climate also makes the various vegetation in this area very lush. It can be said that animals and plants in cold, warm, hot, humid, and arid regions on Earth can survive here, which can be said to be a collection of exotic flowers and plants, and a gathering of rare birds and animals. Therefore, this place is also known as the “living museum of biological evolution” and “animal paradise”. As early as 1978, it was declared a “World Natural Heritage Site” by UNESCO.
