The Galápagos tortoise is the most famous inhabitant of the islands. Most people think its name is derived from being endemic to the archipelago. Actually, they are the islands’ namesake. The islands were discovered in 1525 during a Pacific voyage by Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the Bishop of Panama. In 1570, they were listed as Insulae de los Galopegos. This means “Islands of the Tortoises.” Galápago is the Spanish word for turtle and galápagos is the plural.
