The Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of 13 islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean, is an Ecuadorian province. Galapagos is located at a point where three ocean currents meet. Therefore, it is home to an extraordinary number of marine species. It is called a living museum and a showcase of evolution due to its marine reserve. Continuous seismic and volcanic activity and extreme isolation has led to the development of unique wildlife in these islands. Land iguana, the giant tortoise and different types of Finch are some of the unusual inhabitants. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection was inspired by his visit to the Galapagos in 1835.
A part of the Galapagos was designated a wildlife sanctuary by the government of Ecuador in 1935. This sanctuary became the Galapagos National Park in 1959. The islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island encourages scientific studies and protects the native species of plants and animals. The Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve was created in 1986 to safeguard the surrounding waters. Arrival of invasive species, heavy tourism, population growth and illegal fishing are posing a risk to the Islands.
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