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GALAPAGOS
The Galápagos islands
This Archipelago is a living museum of evolutionary
changes. Free and fearless animals, different from any
others found elsewhere, make visitors wonder about
their very existence on our planet. The UNESCO de-
clared Galapagos a World Natural Heritage Site in 1978
and subsequently a World Biosphere Reserve in 1985.
ORIGIN: The islands appeared from lava eruptions that
came from the bottom of the ocean and that rise as
much as 2,600 ft. lava frommore than 2,000 craters has
continuously altered the terrain of the region. Currently,
the archipelago includes 13 large islands, 6 minor ones
and more than 40 islets. Some of the younger islands
still have active volcanoes.
With a geological history that dates back millions of
years, extraordinary conditions unmatched by the rest
of the world, its formations and endemic flora and fau-
na, the Galápagos Islands receive thousands of tourists
daily, yearning to observe nature in an amazing eco-ad-
venture experience. Is the presentation of major pride
the Ecuadorians show to the world, a sanctuary of life
Train over the Lita river in Imbabura province
that, in 1835, served to Charles Darwin as a laboratory
to develop its theory of the evolution of the species. The
archipelago, since then, is honored by its recognition
and environmental awareness. Unesco, for example,
declared the Encantadas islands as natural heritage of
humanity, in 1979, and as biosphere reserve, in 1985.
Its 13 large islands, its 6 small islands, its 107 islets and
its marine space are the home of giant turtles, pinzones,
sea iguanas, gulls of lava, frigates, alvatróz, pinguins,
old sea dogs, sharks. And now is the home of 19.200
Ecuadorians. Its species, which are wonders for sci-
ence, beaches and a sea vocánicas hospital for diving
are the magnets of a unique ecosystem on the planet,
but also increasingly fragile.
FLORAAND FAUNA: Galapagos is home to an incred-
ibly high rate of endemic species. Among the animals
found are the different species of giant “Galapagos”
tortoises that gave the islands their name. It is also
home to a variety of birds: blue footed, red footed and
masked boobies, flamingos, frigate birds, albatrosses,
unique small penguins and non-flying cormorants, and
14 different varieties of finches. Marine mammals such
as sea lions, dolphins and whales are also found; as
well as multitudinous colorful fishes. The most distinc-
tive plants are mangroves and endemic cacti.