Native name: Isabela | |
|---|---|
 Map of Galápagos Islands | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 00°30′S91°04′W / 0.500°S 91.067°W /-0.500; -91.067 |
| Archipelago | Galápagos Islands |
| Area | 4,586 km2 (1,771 sq mi) |
| Length | 100 km (60 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,707 m (5600 ft) |
| Highest point | Volcán Wolf |
| Administration | |
Ecuador | |
| Province | Galápagos Province |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,748[1] |
| Pop. density | 0.47/km2 (1.22/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Ecuadorians |
Isabela Island (Spanish:Isla Isabela) is the largest of theGalápagos Islands, with an area of 4,586 km2 (1,771 sq mi) and a length of 100 km (62 mi). By itself, it is larger than all the other islands in the chain combined, and it has a little under 2,000 permanent inhabitants. The island straddles theequator.
The originalSpanish name of Isabela ([isaˈβela]) wasSanta Isabela Island (Isla Santa Isabela orYsla Santa Ysabel)[2] in honor of theAragoneseQueenElizabeth ofPortugal, who wascanonized byPope Urban VIII on 24 June 1626.[3] When the name was formally changed to Isabela Island in 1892 as part of Ecuador'squadricentennial celebration ofColumbus'sfirst voyage, its eponym changed to Columbus's patronQueen Isabella I ofCastile.[4] Isabela and nearbyFernandina Island—honoring Isabella's husbandFerdinand II ofAragon—also preserve the names bestowed on the third and fourth islands encountered by Columbus during his voyage.[5]
The former English nameDuke of Albemarl's Island[6] orAlbemarle Island[7] was bestowed by English buccaneerAmbrose Cowley in 1684 in honor ofChristopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle.[8]
Isabela Island is the largest of theGalápagos Islands, with an area of 4,586 km2 (1,771 sq mi)[9] and a length of 100 km (62 mi). Almost four times larger thanSanta Cruz, the second largest of the archipelago, Isabela is larger than every other island in the Galápagos combined.[10]
One of the youngest islands, Isabela is located on the western edge of thearchipelago near theGalápagos hotspot. At approximately 1 million years old, theseahorse-shaped island was formed by the merger of sixshield volcanoes;Alcedo,Cerro Azul, Darwin,[11]Ecuador,Sierra Negra, andWolf. All of these volcanoes except Ecuador are still active, making it one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Two of the volcanoes,Volcan Ecuador andVolcan Wolf (the island's highest point with an elevation of 1,707 m [5,600 ft]), lie directly on the equator. The island is primarily noted for its geology, providing excellent examples of a geologic occurrence that created theGalápagos Islands including uplifts at Urbina Bay[12] and the Bolivar Channel,[13]tuff cones at Tagus Cove, and Pulmace on Alcedo andSierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Isabela is also interesting for itsflora andfauna. The young island does not follow the vegetation zones of the other islands. The relatively new lava fields and surrounding soils have not developed the sufficient nutrients required to support the varied life zones found on other islands. Another obvious difference occurs onVolcan Wolf andCerro Azul; these volcanoes loft above the cloud cover and are arid on top.
Isabela's richbird,animal and marine life is beyond compare. Isabela is home to more wild tortoises than all the other islands. Isabela's large size and notable topography created barriers for the slow-moving tortoises; apparently the creatures were unable to cross lava flows and other obstacles, causing several different sub-species of tortoise to develop. Today, tortoises roam free in the calderas ofAlcedo,Wolf,Cerro Azul,Darwin,[11] andSierra Negra.
Introducedgoats multiplied to over 100,000, but were eradicated by theGalápagos National Park Service and theCharles Darwin Foundation in 2006-2007.[14] Since then, the vegetation has recovered greatly.
Other noted species includepenguins,cormorants,marine iguanas,boobies,pelicans,Sally Lightfoot crabs,Galápagos land iguanas,Darwin's finches,Galápagos hawks,Galápagos doves, and very interesting lowland vegetation. The west coast of Isabela in the Bolivar Channel is the best place in Galápagos for viewing whales and dolphin.
The settlements ofPuerto Villamil and Santo Tomás were founded in 1893. By 1905, the population of the island was 200. Exports at the time weresulfur mined fromfumaroles andlime made fromcoral.Tortoises were used for meat and oil.[15][16] Puerto Villamil, the third-largest settlement of the archipelago, is located at the southeastern tip of the island.[17]
The island's attractions include theWall of Tears (el Muro de las Lágrimas), built by prisoners when the island was apenal colony, and the Flamingo Lagoon, named for theflamingos found there. Both are on the south of the island.[citation needed]
Isabela Island (Galápagos) travel guide from Wikivoyage
