Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are famous the world over as the birthplace of evolution. It's no coincidence that Darwin found such inspiration for scientific study on the Galapagos Islands, which are often called the "laboratory of evolution". Found 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador on an extremely active region of volcanos known as the Nazca Plate, these islands are actually formed of volcanos. Nowhere else on earth can you find such amazing displays of endemic species in varying stages of evolution, plants and animals alike.
Travelers to the Galapagos Islands often report back that it's the best vacation they ever had. The wonderful sense of discovery is still vibrant and available for all visitors to the Galapagos Islands, thanks to its protection and preservation in its natural state. There are still dozens of species of tiny finches here, all derived from one single species from the mainland. Birds and other critters and plants came to the Galapagos originally on boats, with the tides, or in the case of seeds, carried by birds from the mainland. Over the years they evolved into varied species, in order to make living on the small islands possible, Take the land iguana and the giant tortoise, found only in the Galapagos Islands.
Visiters will be glad to know that the Ecuadorian government make the Galapagos Islands a National Park in the 1950s and have closely watched over it, in conjunction with the Charles Darwin Foundation, ever since. Together, they work on conservation projects like removing or controlling introduced species, protecting endangered species, and managing the tourism activities that take place on the Galapagos Islands. This laboratory of evolution, where today's visitors can see prime examples of natural selection, is precious for so many reasons. It takes coordinated efforts across nations and non-governmental agencies to ensure the islands and their unique populations stay healthy.
It's not just the government of Ecuador and the Charles Darwin Foundation that appreciate the specialness of the Galapagos Islands. IN addition to designating them as a World Heritage Site, UNESCO has put the islands on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger as of 2007. This brings global awareness of the fragility of this natural habitat, and also its uniqueness and therefore extreme importance to the world. Called a living museum not to mention living, breathing display of evolution, people all over the world, not just scientists, recognize that The Galapagos Islands must be protected.
Come to the Galapagos Islands for the nature, the beauty, the discovery and the wonderment of Charles Darwin's ground-breaking scientific work here. For all these reasons and more, there's no other place on earth like these islands. They will amaze you, granting you a new appreciation of nature not obtainable in any other place. This is the Galapagos Islands!
