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Home History
& Culture
Franciscan
Mission
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Antonio
Gil & Family |
Isabela was colonized in 1897 by Antonio Gil, who decided to
settle with his family on this uninhabited island. They brought
their domestic animals and dedicated their work to the cultivation
of the land.
During World War II, the Americans established a military base
5 miles from Puerto Villamil.
After the war, in 1946, the Ecuadorian Government established
a Penal Colony on Isabela. One of the prison camps took up residence
in the abandoned buildings left behind by the Americans. This
area is now known as the "Wall of tears" (Muro de
las Lágrimas).
In 1959, the Penal Colony was closed and at the same time the
Galapagos National Park was created along with the Charles Darwin
Research Station.
Little by little people began arriving to the Galapagos, with
the majority arriving in the 1970`s. These people took up residence
in the agricultural sector in the highlands of the island.
As time went by the settlers began abandoning farms and taking
up residence on the coast, dedicating the majority of their
time to fishing. Today fishing is the principal economic activity;
however ecotourism and the production of handcrafts are developing
economic activities on Isabela. |
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