Historical Summary
In 1535 Fray Tomas de Berlanga navigated the Pacific Ocean from Panama and stumbled upon the Galapagos Islands unexpectedly.  It is not known if the Galapagos had been discovered prior to this date, however, some historians suggest that some tribes arrived previously by sea, although there is little evidence to corroborate this.  Some believe that Tupac-Yupanqu discovered the islands whilst a volcanic eruption was taking place on the archipelago and that he also named two of the Islands Ninachumbi and Huahuachumbi.  After Tomas de Berlanga  the Islands have been discovered on numerous occasions by those navigating the ocean, losing their path and stumbling upon them by accident due to marine currents.   

Legends surrounding the Islands began to arise, and they became commonly known as the Enchanted Islands.  This name lasted until 1570, when the archipelago was officially named the 'Galapagos Islands'. 

During the colonial period the Islands were frequently visited by pirates, who used the Islands as a hideout and as a place of rest to carry out the necessary maintenance of their ships.  During the 17th and 18th centuries the Galapagos didn't really belong to any nation, therefore adventurers arriving at the shores could basically do anything they liked on the territory. 

The English Names

Pirate Ambrose Cowley gave the Islands English names in 1684 corresponding to important personalities during his epoch.  The main names were: Chatham (San Cristobal), Hood (Espanola), Charles or Floreana (Santa Maria), Narborough (Isabela), Tower (Genovesa). It is also worth mentioning that Ambrose Cowley, as well as being a pirate, was also a distinguished English historian.

The Pirates

As previously mentioned, the Islands were frequently visited by pirates, especially for the purpose of fixing their ships.  English pirates supposedly worked for the British crown who organised fleets with the objective of attacking the 19 Spanish galleons who navigated the waters shipping gold from the American ports.    The most famous pirates to land at the shores of the Galapagos were Davis, Cook, Wajer, Dampier, Cowley and Eaton.  According to legend, the pirates hidden treasures still exist on the Islands. 

Whaling

From 1780 to 1860 the Galapagos were converted into a destination for English and North American whaling boats, which together with turtle hunting left thousands of animals dead.  Some turtles were kept alive on the boats for the purpose of having fresh meat and fine oils close at hand.  ("Galapagos, Edit. Cientifica de Austro).  In the 19th century the North Americans displaced the Brits.  In 1812 Davis Porte transformed the Islands into his operational base with the objective of claiming them as part of North American territory. 

Galapagos and International Envy

Due to their stategic position and their natural riches, the Galapagos have always been a source of envy and ambition for great western maritime powers.  Until Independence the Islands were under the control of the Spanish crown.  Even after their incorporation into Ecuadorian territory on 12th February 1832, they have continued to be an object of desire among the international community.  Previous Ecuadorian governments have even considered ceding the Islands to other powerful countries.  British representatives even set their sights on the Islands as a form of payment for the debts amounted from the Independence wars with the Spanish.  After this, North American interests in the Islands were reawakened due to their expectations of finding guano (an important fertiliser at the time).  In 1854 the National Congress happily refused a proposal from North American firm Bissot and Benjamin offering a percentage of the profits for the indefinite loaning of the Islands.  Spanish and British governments also opposed the idea, as it apparently affected their interests. 

Galapagos and the External Debt

Under Robles, an agreement was reached to receive three million dollars and a mortgage guarantee in exchange for the Islands, however, parliamentary opposition was against the proposal.  In negotiations to settle the British debt, the government considered giving the British certain concessions on the Islands, although this was opposed by the Peruvian government.  In 1866, England put increasing pressure on the Ecuadorian government to pay the debt and instead of merely receiving consessions for the exploitation of the Islands' natural resources, to give over the Islands themselves.  Garcia Moreno's government openly and firmly refused the request. 

The North Americans

Towards the close of the 19th century, the British were displaced and the United States requested control of the Islands.  The US government stated that the Islands did not officially belong to anyone, aggressively exerting diplomatic pressure with the objective of obtaining the Islands for themselves.  In 1889 in the First Panamerican Conference in Washington, North American interests were clearly voiced before the Ecuadorian delegate Placido Caamano, although President Antonio Flores objected to such requests.  After the Liberal Revolution of 1895 a European syndicate offered 25 million dollars for the Islands, the French offering 100 million francs for the leasing of a free port.  The North American government under Taft proposed the leasing of the Island San Cristobal for a period of 99 years and an annual payment  of five thousand dollars.  Alfaro's government seriously contemplated the possibility of leasing the land for 15 million dollars and that the intergrity of the Ecuadorian territory be guaranteed by the USA.  However, public opinion opposed the proposal. 

Galapagos and Ecuador
As Ecuador broke away from the union of Gran Colombia, on 12th February 1832 the Ecuadorian government took possession of the Islands.  The ceremony was carried out by Colonel Horacio Hernandez and on the 19th February the territory was handed over to the first inhabitants, 80 soldiers.  On the 1st October, General Jose Villamil was appointed governor and remained so until he resigned in 1837.  He was succeeded by Colonel J.Williams who along with a group of foreign marines, converted himself into a dictator, provoking rebellions and a number of people to flee the Galapagos.  On 29th May 1861, Garcia Moreno raised the Islands to provincial status, with the capital in Floreana.  In 1885 the Territorial Headquarters was set up dependent on the province of Guayas and later in 1928 control was ceded to the Marine department of the Ministry of Defence.  On 18th February 1973, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in Isla San Cristobal was appointed capital, with the Islands' provincial status becoming definitive.  The provincial decree was signed by General Rodriguez Lara.  In 1942 during the Second World War, the Ecuadorian government ceded part of the territory to the United States for military purposes related to the 'defence of the continent'. 

A 'Natural Museum'
The characteristics of the flora and fauna inhabiting the Islands make the Galapagos territory completely unique.   With regards to marine life, there are some 625 native species and sub-species, of which some 36 per cent are endemic to the Islands.  A high percentage of fauna is also endemic: all reptiles (except two turtle species), numerous invertibrate mammals and around 23 per cent of fish in coastal waters.  This extraordinary abundance of wildlife and marinelife has astounded naturists, scientists and visitors alike.  In 1930 scientists the world over began to concern themselves with the conservation and protection of the Galapagos and its natural beauty.  In 1936, 14 of the islands were declared flora and fauna reserves. 

Last Updated 14th September 2006 (DLW)