Baltra Island, Military and transport island in Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Baltra is a flat, dry island in the eastern part of the Galápagos chain, roughly 21 square kilometers in size with sparse vegetation of salt bush and cacti. The landscape is dominated by the modern airport at its center, which handles thousands of visitors passing through every day.
The United States built the island as a military airbase in 1942 to protect strategic interests during World War II. After the war, the infrastructure remained and eventually became the airport that today links mainland Ecuador to the Galápagos Islands.
The island serves as the main entry point for visitors heading to Galápagos, shaping how travelers first experience the archipelago. This role has made it a cultural hub where the practical needs of tourism meet the region's strategic importance.
The airport is the main gateway to the archipelago, so almost all visitors arrive and depart through here no matter where else they travel. Plan to spend time handling paperwork and expect the first steps of your Galápagos visit to occur at this location.
Land iguanas disappeared from the island by 1954 but were successfully brought back, and now a population of around 400 lives here again. This reintroduction project shows how restoration work shapes life on the island today.
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