Galapagos

The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago in the eastern Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) west of continental Ecuador. The chain comprises 13 main islands, as well as numerous smaller islands and rocks. The islands are of volcanic origin, formed along the Nazca Plate hotspot as the plate moves, leading to varied landscapes from lava fields to highland forests. They lie near the equator and experience a mix of dry and humid conditions that shape their ecosystems.

The Galápagos are renowned for their unique biodiversity and as a natural laboratory for evolution. Notable species include the Galápagos giant tortoise, marine and land iguanas, the flightless cormorant, and the Galápagos penguin. Seabirds such as the blue-footed booby and Nazca booby are also prominent. Darwin’s finches, derived from a common ancestor, illustrate adaptive radiation and played a key role in shaping ideas about natural selection.

Protection and governance: The Galápagos National Park was established in 1959, with the surrounding marine reserve created in 1986. In 1978 the archipelago was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz conducts conservation and scientific work. The human population numbers in the tens of thousands, concentrated in towns such as Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and Puerto Velasco Ibarra, with most residents involved in ecotourism, fishing, and research.

Conservation issues include invasive species, habitat alteration, and climate change, which threaten native fauna and ecosystem balance. Ongoing efforts focus on biosecurity, eradication of introduced species, and regulated, low-impact tourism to minimize disturbance.