Galápagos : An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture

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 over 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 topics such 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. Thematic essays introduce readers to the Galápagos Islands, providing deep coverage on the geography and geology of the islands, as well as such topics as Charles Darwin, evolution, tourism, and other topics Alphabetically arranged topical entries allow readers to search for a wide range of topics, complete with cross-references and Further Readings Primary document excerpts from scientists and explorers provide readers with firsthand accounts of travelers' observations and experiences on the islands Appendices provide context about the islands and Charles Darwin's expedition in 1835 that helped to make the islands famous A Glossary helps to define key terms and concepts for readers A Chronology outlines key events through history that helped to shape the Galápagos Islands as we know them today Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Abbreviations Chronology Galápagos at a Glance PART I. Thematic Essays Geology, Volcanoes, and Lava Climate, Currents, and Weather Darwin in Galápagos The Mysteries of Floreana Island Baltra and World War II Giant Tortoises: The Galápagos of Galápagos Darwin’s Finches Evolution in Galápagos: The Work of Rosemary and Peter Grant Plants and Vegetative Zones Tourism Invasive Species The Future of Galápagos PART II. Topical Entries Agassiz, Louis and Elizabeth Agriculture Albatross Angermeyers Baltra Pine Baur, Georg Beaches Beebe, Charles William Berlanga, Fray Tomás 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 Julián 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 Galápagos Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Irenäus Fawkes, Guy Filiate Science Antrorse: A Search for Utopia The First Biological Research Station Fish FitzRoy, Robert Flightless Cormorants Frigatebirds Galápagos Galápagos Hawk Galápagos Marine Reserve Galápagos National Park Galápagos Penguin Galápagos Tomato Geckos Gould, John and Elizabeth Governance: Galápagos Governing Council Hawai‘i: Comparisons with Galápagos Hitler in Galápagos? HMS Beagle Hooker, Joseph Dalton Hotel Galápagos 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 Galápagos 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, José María 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: Tomás Berlanga Discovers Galápagos, 1535 Document 2: A Literary Pirate Visits Galápagos, 1684 Document 3: Ambrose Cowley Names Some Islands in Galápagos, 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 Galápagos’ 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 Galápagos, 1825 Document 9: Charles Darwin’s First Impressions of Galápagos, 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 Galápagos, 1845 Document 12: Herman Melville and the Desolation of Galápagos, 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 About the Author 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.