1535day.year
Spaniard Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the fourth Bishop of Panama, discovers the Galápagos Islands by chance on his way to Peru.
Bishop Tomás de Berlanga accidentally discovers the Galápagos Islands while en route to Peru in 1535.
En route to Lima in 1535, Bishop Tomás de Berlanga found his expedition stalled by calm winds and ocean currents. On March 10, he spotted a remote group of volcanic islands near the equator, later known as the Galápagos. Lacking fresh water and supplies, the bishop named them the 'Enchanted Isles' for their mysterious allure. His accidental discovery introduced the archipelago to European cartography and natural history. The islands’ unique flora and fauna would later captivate scientists like Charles Darwin and become a cornerstone of evolutionary study.
1535
Tomás de Berlanga
Panama
Galápagos Islands
Peru