Floreana: It was named after Juan Jose Flores, the first President of Ecuador, during whose administration the government of Ecuador took possession of the archipelago. It is also called Santa Maria after one of the caravels of Columbus. |
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The Floreana Island has an area of 173 km² and a maximum altitude of 640 meters. Located directly south of Santa Cruz and west of Espanola, Floreana is also somewhat isolated, being a 3-4 hour cruise from either of its neighbors.
The combination of nutrient-rich soil and an adequate water supply make Floreana an island of abundant plant life.
This fact was not lost on the centuries of settlers who chose to live and farm on Floreana, giving the island a rich human history.
Floreana is one of the islands with the most interesting human history and one of the earliest to be inhabited.
Pink flamingos and Green Sea Turtles nest in this island. The "joint footed" petrel is found here, a nocturnal sea bird which spends most of its life away from land.
There are three official Visitor Sites on Floreana - Punta Cormorant, the Devi'1'sCrown, and Post Office Bay - as weII as one unofficial site, the Wittmer Residence on Black Beach |
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