Floreana was the first of the Galapagos Islands to be colonized by people. Ecuador took possession of the Galapagos Islands in 1832 and established a penal colony in Floreana Island. When Darwin visited the Galapagos in 1835, the second island he landed on was Floreana.  During his stay in Floreana, Darwin met with some of the convicts and explored the high lands.