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LOCATION: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND , GALAPAGOS
San Cristóbal , named for the Patron Saint of seafarers, (St. Christopher), is the easternmost island in the Galapagos. It is home to the oldest settlement of the islands, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Alternative name: Chatham
Area: 558 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 730 Mts
Population: 6,000
Geographic features: Beaches, islets, eroded tuff cone, official capital
PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO , SAN CRISTOBAL
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos Islands and the oldest settlement of the Archipelago. This small bayside village is home to the Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts & Sciences (GAIAS), the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center , a small museum, souvenir shops and local townspeople.
The people of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno make their living principally by artesanal fishing and tourism.
Two important problems of the town include increased migration and efforts to stop it, and conflicts between the fishing and conservation sectors. One key issue is the illegal fishing of sharks, lobsters and sea cucumbers outside of their permitted seasons.
Despite these problems the Galapagos Islands are considered to be a good example of the way in which environmental conflicts can be resolved in a peaceful manner. During the last decade various institutions have been created in order to allow different stakeholders a participatory role in the decision making process.
GAIAS was created as part of an effort to generate sustainable development in the Islands . In order for conservation efforts to be effective, alternatives must be given to the local population which depends so heavily upon fisheries and bureaucratic jobs. The only way for people to look at other alternatives is for them to become involved in sustainable tourism and other non-extractive activities.
CLIMATE
The Galapagos islands are located near the equator, approximately 1000 km (600 miles) off the west coast of Ecuador. The climate of the Galapagos is influenced by a rich system of both cool and warm oceanic currents, with a major influence being the Humboldt current, which brings cool water to the islands.
The Galapagos year can be divided into two "seasons:" the "hot" or "wet" season which lasts from December to early May with an average temperature of 25 C/ 77 F; while the "cool" or "dry" season from May to December has an average temperature of 18 C/ 64 F. In San Cristobal , where GAIAS is located, the water temperature normally averages 22-23 C (71.6-73.4 F), although it can range from 19-26 C (66.2-78.8 F). Other islands (such as Española) can have lower water temperatures depending on the time of year. Despite the lower temperatures, it is possible to swim year-round in the Galapagos without a wetsuit.
VISITOR INFORMATION
PLAYA MANN
A nice beach located across the street from GAIAS. This is a good spot for swimming and snorkeling.
EL PROGRESO
This small farming settlement is located a few kilometers up the side of an extinct volcano. It was established as a penal colony in 1879 by the Ecuadorian Manuel J. Cobos. Prisoners developed important sugar cane and coffee plantations, and were so successful, the community became known as "El Progreso," meaning "progress." However, prisoners were treated like slaves, and Cobos' cruel and unjust behavior eventually led to the decline of his small empire, culminating in his murder on January 15, 1904.
EL JUNCO
El Junco is one of the few permanent fresh water lakes in the Galapagos. It is located in the highlands of San Cristobal at an altitude of 2,300 ft/700m, about 45 minutes by bus from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The lagoon has a surface area of 648,000 square feet and a volume equivalent to nine million gallons of water. On the way to El Junco you will pass through several vegetation zones and the farming community, El Progreso, before reaching a beautiful panoramic site. It is an ideal spot for bird watching as well as enjoying the landscape. There you will find white-check pintail ducks, common gallinules, miconia bushes and endemic tree ferns. Because of its fresh water, El Junco is one of the few places where you can see frigatebirds bathing in order to preen their feathers.
The lake itself is the caldera (collapsed cone) of an extinct volcano and is about 300 meters wide. It is generally accepted that the lake has been in existence since the end of the last northern ice age. The name El Junco is Spanish for sedge, which is present along the banks of the lake. It is filled by rainwater and therefore its depth varies with the seasons. It is thus at it's deepest in the rainy season (October to May), with the highest rainfall usually in April.
During World War II, American soldiers stationed at the military base in Baltra traveled to El Junco in search of water. Despite having to travel hours each way in order to arrive at this fresh water lake, the soldiers made this trip daily because San Cristobal was the closest island where they can find this resource.
LA LOBERIA
La Lobería is a coral sand beach a 30-minute walk south of town. There you'll enjoy sea lions, a large colony of marine iguanas, bird watching, and even tortoises.
LA GALAPAGUERA
Established by the National Park, the Galapaguera is a man-made breeding program for tortoises and an information center for visitors. There you not only get to see giant land tortoises living in a semi-natural habitat, but also learn about their origin, evolution and threats by introduced animals.
LEONDORMIDO ("SLEEPING LION") OR KICKER ROCK
Leon Dormido, named for its characteristic shape of a sleeping lion, is located off the northwest coast of San Cristobal . It is a vertical tuff cone*, rising almost 500 feet straight up from the ocean. Erosion has split the rock into two parts, forming a narrow channel that small vessels can pass through. Blue footed boobies, masked boobies, frigatebirds and sea lions line the shore. This is an excellent location for snorkeling and diving, and you can often spot manta rays, sea turtles and sharks.
*The tuff is produced by a sudden encounter of very cold ocean water with boiling lava (more than 1000 degrees Celsius/ 1832 degrees Farenheit), that occurred in shallow waters. This collision resulted in an explosion in which small particles were shot out and then compacted.
PUERTO GRANDE
This cove is located opposite Leon Dormido. Hermit crabs are very common here, covering the areas near the lagoons behind the beach. The cove also constitutes one of the basic sites where blue footed boobies feed.
The cove has acted as a favorite site to anchor sailboats for many centuries. There are many stories about buried treasures and about people that have come to look for them. To this day, there are large holes in the sand where people have excavated in search of treasure, and some say with success.
CERRO BRUJO
Cerro Brujo is the remains of a tuff cone. It has an impressive landscape, where it is often possible to see coastal and migratory birds. The primary attraction of this site is the coral sand beach. It is an excellent place to swim and snorkel.
ISLA LOBOS
This islet is located one hour by boat from San Cristobal . It is a seasonal nesting location for blue-footed boobies, although it is named for the colony of sea lions sometimes present there. The islet has a tranquil and scenic atmosphere and is also a great place for snorkeling.
PLAYA OCHOA
This site is a good place for recreation after a visit to Isla Lobos. It is a small rocky beach with white sand and calm waters. Migratory and coastal birds may be observed in the nearby lagoon. It is possible to see two species of crabs at the beach, the ghost crab and the hermit crab. Sea urchins are also very abundant. This beach is remarkable for snorkeling.
PUNTA PITT
Situated on the northeastern tip of San Cristobal . A number of different birds can be seen here, in particular all three species of boobies: red-footed, blue-footed and masked. Two species of frigatebirds are also present, as are swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels.
INTERPRETATION CENTER
The Interpretation Center was opened by Galapagos National Park in March 1998. Funded by the Government of Spain, the Center is located only a few minute walk from GAIAS on the north end of town. It is an amazing educational and informational contribution to both the island community and travelers alike.
The Center focuses primarily on the history of the archipelago, from its volcanic origins to the present. Two interpretation panels, representing the natural and cultural history of the archipelago, are linked together in chronological order. The center includes a small auditorium, meeting rooms and audiovisual equipment for the entire community to enjoy. The Center serves as both an interpretative locus and a community gathering place.
FRIGATEBIRD HILL
Frigatebird Hill is within walking distance (1 km) of the town. Here you can see nesting colonies of both 'great' and 'magnificent' frigatebirds.
WILDLIFE OF SAN CRISTOBAL :
Blue Footed Boobies
Masked Boobies
Frigatebirds
Pintail Ducks
Gallinules
Pelicans
Giant Tortoises
Crabs
Sea Lions
Several other sea birds and landbirds including the endemic Chatham mockingbird and at least six of the Darwin finches.
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