Covering an area of almost 8,000 sq km (3,090 sq miles), and just over 620 miles (1,000km) to the west of their parent country, Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands also lie close to the equator. But as oceanic islands, they have a remarkably equable climate, with average temperatures around the mid to high 20s celsius all year round – noticeably cooler than Ecuador itself.
Rainfall is also extremely low, with an average of between 100mm and 300mm (4in to 12in) a year, which falls mainly in the first four months of the year, often as drizzle. There is, however, some variation: hillier islands such as Fernandina and Isabela have slightly more rainfall.
The reason behind these statistics – and the mild overall climate – is that the Humboldt current brings cooler waters up from further south. This allows the Galápagos penguin – the only member of its family found north of the equator – to thrive here, along with the rest of the islands’ incredible wildlife, because cooler sea water means more food. The contrast between the warmer air and cooler seas also brings frequent fog to the islands.
In El Niño years, however, there may be far more rain, due to unusually warm ocean currents flowing eastwards, from the tropical Pacific Ocean, towards the South American coast.
