Santa Cruz, also known as ‘Indefatigable Island’, is located in the centre of the Galapagos archipelago. The fauna and flora of this island inspired Charles Darwin to formulate his theory of natural selection. The National Park Headquarters, the Darwin Research Station are all located on the Academy Bay. Santa Cruz is rich in diversified animals, plants as well as volcanoes, making it the ideal destination for scientists as well as nature lovers! FlightsFlights offers you the best travel packages to suit your needs! Log on to www.FlightsFlights.com.au and find out more. Santa Cruz is the best place to see many of the animals that make the Galapagos fauna so unique and interesting. See the Giant tortoises, Marine iguanas, Land iguanas, and sea lions. View the many sea birds, shore birds, such as the lava heron and Darwin's finches. There is no doubt that you will have a great time.

Santa Cruz is a shield volcano, with a crest on the island, which divides the dry section from the wet section. Two distinct periods of volcanic activity had produced the "Platform" lava series and the" Shield Series" lavas. The former are lavas inter- bedded with shallow marine sediments and lime stones ranging in age from about 1 million years to as old as 2.3 million years. The latter are lavas that make up the bulk of the volcanic edifice began perhaps 700,000 years or so ago. Thus Santa Cruz is believed to be an active, though dormant, volcano.

Santa Cruz is an excellent example of the changes in climate and vegetation that occur with increasing elevation. Near the coast, the vegetation is the mangroves, populated by plants that can survive in brackish or seawater. Then it passes on to areas with extensive grasses and Bursera forests. Above this is the area, dominated by the weed-tree Scalesia. As you go up higher the thin trees are replaced by dense growth of Miconia. The Fern-Sedge Zone is found at the highest elevations and is generally above the clouds. The fauna too changes with elevation as well, though some animals, such as the tortoise, may be found through a range of climatic zones. The brilliant Vermillion Flycatcher, however, is found only in the higher elevations. You can relax at the white sand beach is located at Tortuga Bay.

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