When sailors first discovered the Galapagos Islands, it was by accident. The islands were not on any map. And it was not until about 15 years after they were discovered that the Galapagos were included on any maps. In those days, people needed maps because much of the ocean was uncharted, and because sailing ships depended on the wind wind — an unreliable source of power. Today, sailors still rely on maps (called charts) which are much more detailed than the early versions.