The Galapagos Islands

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One of the most important destinations in South America for ecotourists is the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. This archipelago is located 970 kilometers from the Ecuadorian coast and is famous for its variety of endemic flora and fauna, that is, exclusively located here and in no other part of the wild world.

Archipelago

The Galapagos are also very famous for having been the principal source for the studies of the great biologist Charles Darwin, especially in his main work “The Origin of the Species” in which he proposed the theory of evolution. Ecuador converted the Galapagos Islands into a national park protected by the state in the year 1959, and in 1978 it was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Galapagos

The most particular characteristic of the Galapagos was that, being removed from the continent, they developed species which evolved almost without the presence of human predators. Because of this, the animals do not respond fearfully to the presence of tourists, which makes for a unique and special interraction. The most popular animal species of the archipelago is the giant Galapagos turtle, which, before becoming a protected species, was very close to extinction due to overhunting.

The archipelago is formed by 19 islands great and small, 49 little islands and many rocky formations, the largest island of which is called Isabela and is almost 5 thousand square kilometers. In addition to being a natural reserve, the Galapagos was named as an equatorial province, having as its capital the port Baquerizo Moreno. In total, the province is home to a human population of more than 16 thousand people.

The Galapagos Islands are enchanting and magical. In Ecuador everyone acknowledges the potential of tourism, and many routes, tours, and excursions are offered for all tastes and budgets. If you enjoy animals and nature, the Galapagos in Ecuador is definitely the destination for you!

Image: Planta _0, Blog. espol , Hoy

Blogalaxia Tags: Travel, Tourism, Travel Guide, Ecuador, Destination, Galapagos Islands