The City Structure of the Galapagos

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Darwin, Wolf, Mandera, Pinta, and Genovesa

-         These islands are almost completely uninhabited.  Two tourist locations are popular in the group of islands, and there is potentially illegal camping on the island by bandit fishermen.  Village consideration is unnecessary for these islands.

Fernandina and Isabela

-         Isabela is the largest island, composed of 5 volcanoes

-         Most of the population is in one spot (Puerto Vilamil, Isabela)

Santiago and Santa Cruz

-         Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz is the largest city on the Galapagos with a population of approximately 10,000 people; Tourist Center of the Galapagos

-         Airport on small island to the North, Baltra

-         Santiago is virtually uninhabited

San Cristobal

-         Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, province capital, approximate population of 5,000 people

-         Airport at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno just outside of city, within 15 minutes walk

-         Despite airport, not a tourist center for the Galapagos

-         Second village at El Progresso, approximate population of 500 people

-         Both are primarily fishing villages with Government jobs and tourism essentially filling the employment of residents, although some agriculture

Floreanna and Hispaniola

-         Approximately 80 people on Floreanna and no population on Hispaniola

-         Longest inhabited island of Floreanna

-         Primarily subsistence fishing and farming on island, with several hundred head of cattle