History

HISTORY OF THE GALAPAGOS, from past to present
Por Octavio LaTorre T.

HISTORY IN THE PRE GALAPAGOS:

The archaeological remains found in some islands indicate that they were visited by the ancient inhabitants of the Ecuadorian coast in ancient times. The maintenance were surely the best sailors in pre-Columbian America that could go into the high seas and there are indications that reached the North Central America and Chile to the south and also to the Galapagos aboard the famous "rafts." The buoyancy of the raft with the technique was perfected based navigation and sailing especially in the "den" or vertical rudders, in addition to stability, allowing "luff" or zig-zag move upstream. Although their boats could reach the Galapagos, there are signs that it had established in them, and given the difficulties of return (distance and contrary currents) can be assumed that reached the islands against their will or be shipwrecked.

ECUADOR GALAPAGOS ISLANDS JOINS THE NATION.: 1832

The islands belonged to Quito during the colonial period, but after independence could be considered no man's land. General Jose Villamil, born in Louisiana and living in Guayaquil, suggested to President Juan Jose Flores officially incorporating the archipelago to the new nation.
Colonel Ignacio Hernandez, delegate of the government presided over the induction ceremony, the February 12, 1832 on Floreana Island, the name given in honor of the first President.

Charles Darwin in the Galapagos: 1835

On September 15, 1835 British expedition arrived under the command of Captain Fitz Roy on the HMS "Beagle" in a scientific voyage around the world. The expedition visited the Chatham Islands, the Floreana and Santiago Narborough, exploring the coast and possible anchorages and raised an almost perfect map. The expedition became famous, however, the presence of a young naturalist named Charles Darwin who carefully observed the variations of nature in the various islands and that helped him to design the Theory of Evolution of Species. The first suggestion to observe such changes, however, came from a young British officer in the service of the Ecuadorian Navy, Nicholas Lawson who knew all the corners of the islands.

Second Colonization: 1869-1878

In 1860, an American whaler discovered the lichen known as "orchilla" a very valuable plant, then, for dry cleaning. Several businessmen tried to exploit it, but the government of García Moreno tendered and won José Valdizan, a Spanish businessman residing in Guayaquil (1969). The business failed so successfully devoted Valdizán agriculture on the island of Floreana. Against all the criteria was determined to bring some criminals in the hope of turning them into good elements of society. She was brutally murdered on July 23, 1878. The island was abandoned because the workers felt "cursed" and looked out of it. About a hundred of them went to San Cristobal where you just installed Manuel J. Cobos back from Mexico.

THIRD COLONIZATION: THE EMPIRE OF M.J. COBOS. 1879 - 1904

In 1879, Manuel J. Cobos formed, on the island of San Cristobal, an agricultural center called "Progress." It was a remarkable entrepreneur who made trying to produce everything: sugar cane, coffee, vegetables. Guayaquil exported hides and dried meat of wild cattle, fish, turtle oil, etc.. Turtles disappeared south of the island but his main goal was to turn the island into an industrial center. Cane cultivation expanded from a few hectares to 400, enough to produce sugar at the mill that was installed in 1891. Improved roads, dock for the boats maintained a regular trade with Guayaquil. Unfortunately, their methods were not very human, as "El Progreso" turned into a concentration camp where the will of Cobos was the only law. Volunteer workers or criminals sent from Guayaquil received equal treatment with brutal punishment and even the death penalty on desert islands. The rule of M.J. Cobos lasted twenty years, but finally was killed in January 15, 1904 by its own workers.

THE IMPORTANCE AND THE GALAPAGOS strategical international pretensions. 1850-1940

The strategic location of the islands attracted the ambition of many powers, especially the United States since the mid-nineteenth century. Pressures, threats to declare the islands "res nullius" and offers to purchase or lease of the islands, constantly repeated under various purposes: as a trading outpost, fuel tanks, but especially as a basis for the defense Panama Canal, with the threat of the Pacific powers. Ecuador resisted such pressures, but before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, gave some of the islands as a contribution to the defense of America during World War II.

European settlers in Galapagos. Norwegians. 1926-1929:

The Norwegians showed interest in the colonization of the Galapagos Islands since 1880. In 1908 the Norwegian vessel "Alexander" sank west of the archipelago and crew
sought refuge in the islands. One group was isolated on the island of Santa Cruz for several months.
On his return to Norway, some promoted the project to migrate to the islands, the abundance of fishing and whaling. In agreement with Ecuador, the first groups arrived in 1925 and 1926 as part of two colonies of Floreana and Santa Cruz.
Unfortunately, they had studied the conditions of the archipelago and in less than two years, most returned to Norway. Captain Paul Brunn of the Norwegian Navy made ​​a last attempt to reorganize the few that remained, but died tragically on Isabela Island in July 1931. There are very few especially in Santa Cruz.

The first aircraft in the Galapagos. 1936

William Robinson lived on his yacht in Tagus Cove studying the flora and fauna of the islands when he suffered a serious attack of appendicitis and his situation became dangerous. Fortunately, a Santa Cruz tuna was nearby and contacted by radio to the Navy base in the Panama Canal. Once granted permission by the Government of Ecuador, two hydroplanes took off to the islands followed by the aircraft carrier "Hale." They arrived on time and saved his life. They had started flights to the islands. During the war the island of Baltra became the U.S. Army Base B.
The first aircraft arrived with letters of the Panama Canal on 6 February. To celebrate this event was issued a commemorative stamp.
The first commercial flight arrived on January 3, 1959 the airline LIA and then the TAME airlines of Ecuador, on June 6, 1963. Again many commemorative stamps were printed. TAME and other companies maintain their daily flights to the Galapagos.

1998 GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II

The Galapagos Explorer II arrived in the islands on February 18. On August 12, 1998 Prince of Asturias came to board the Galapagos Explorer II to inaugurate Interpretation Centre donated by the Spanish government.

July 4: 40th anniversary of the Galapagos National Park government organization responsible for the organization, control and management of protected areas of Galapagos. (Islands and marine reserve).
March 18: The Master Plan for Management of the Galapagos Marine Reserve was approved.

YEAR 2000 THE TURTLES WERE CARRIED BACK TO THE ISLAND SPANISH

Marzo25: Thanks to successful captive breeding plan carried out by the National Park beside the Charles Darwin Station, a thousand tortoises have been brought back to the Spanish island.

2001: December 2

The Galapagos Marine Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site.