Floreana was the first island in Galapagos 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 is Floreana island, Darwin met with some of the convicts and explored the highlands.