The Galapagos Islands have become famous worldwide for their unique wildlife
and hauntingly beautiful landscape.
Nicknamed “The Enchanted Isles" by pirates who used to frequent
their rocky shores in the 18th century, the Galapagos have
been gaining popularity as an adventure-filled vacation spot since their
opening to organized tourism in the mid 1960’s.
 The Galapagos
was inscribed as a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978.
Situated
in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent,
these
19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique "living
museum and showcase of evolution". Located at the confluence of
three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a "melting pot" of
marine species. Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflects the
processes that formed
the
islands. These processes, together with the extreme isolation of the
islands, led to the development of unusual animal life – such as the
land iguana, the giant tortoise and the many types of finch – that
inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution following his visit in
1835.  The
group of islands that make up the Galapagos are home to several species
of fascinating fauna and flora,
many of which cannot be found anywhere else on earth.
Here you can spot a diversity of interesting and unique animals,
the same wildlife that inspired Darwin to write his influential
“On the Origin of Species” when he visited the islands
in 1835. Having lived for
thousands of years without the danger of predators, many of the animals
are unafraid of people and will often let visitors come an arms-length
away from them. The bird life is rich and diversified; no matter which month
you come, you are certain to see courting behavior or young chicks.
Hundreds of dragon-like marine iguanas can be seen basking on
rocks, and visitors frequently spot giant tortoises, the namesake of
the islands.
Providing
a backdrop against the islands’ incredible wildlife is the striking volcanic landscape.
Hikes and tours up to the volcanoes are available to visitors as
well as shorter hikes around flows and fascinating lava formations.
Beautiful beaches around the islands are full of fish, coastal
birds and seals give visitors the opportunity to swim or dive while enjoying
the diverse wildlife and magnificent, pristine land.
Certain
to delight wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, the Galapagos
Islands offer visitors an unforgettable, once in a lifetime vacation.
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