Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Travelguide, Pictures, Videos, Alexander Humboldt, Charles Darwin, National parks, Origin of the species, nature

The country can be divided into four regions: the western coastal lowlands, the Andean backbone, the eastern jungles of the Amazonian basin and the Galápagos Islands. The central highlands are composed of two volcanic ranges separated by a central valley, where much of the population lives. The highest peak is Chimborazo (6310 metres).Thanks to its climate and the variety of habitats (alpine grasslands, coastal swamps, tropical rainforest), Ecuador is one of the most species-rich nations on earth. Ecologists have dubbed it a 'megadiversity hotspot'. Animals include several species of monkey, plus sloths, llamas and alpacas. Bird-watchers come from all over the world to see the famous Andean Condor but there are plenty of other bird species: about half of the 58 species found on the Galápagos Islands are endemic. Ecuador's freshwater fish are equally exotic, but most visitors would rather not personally experience the amazing qualities of electric eels, piranhas and the tiny candiru catfish - which can swim up the human urethra and lodge there by erecting sharp spines.

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So pure, in fact, that it led the young English naturalist Charles Darwin, who visited the islands in 1835, to write "The Origin of the Species" and the world has not been the same since.

Located 1,000 Km. off Ecuador's Pacific coast, this mysterious and fascinating archipelago is comprised of 13 large islands, six smaller ones and over 40 islets. Together they cover 7,500 sq. Km. Most are south of the Equator where several marine currents converge. Thus, all of the elements were in place to create this zoological, geological and botanical wonder. Through the evolutionary process, climate, ocean currents and the comparative lack of predatory enemies including man the Galapagos became one of the strangest and most compelling places on our planet. Flora and fauna, arriving on different "routes" across the waters from the mainland, colonized the original Galapagos lava beds.

The organisms which survived evolved to constitute species unique to the world. All of the Galapagos reptiles, half of the birds, 32% of the plants and 25% of the fish, as well as many of the invertebrates, are found only in the archipelago. The terrestrial and marine environments in Galapagos create a multiplicity of attractive and unique landscapes which have captivated generation of tourists and scientists. Giant tortoise, marine and land iguanas and lava lizards constitute the most spectacular reptile group found anywhere. Birds are represented by more than 13 species of varying finches and also by flightless cormorants, small penguins, sparrow hawks, flamingos, albatrosses and boobies, among others, Mammals found there include beautiful and playful seals and dolphins.

It is for all of these reasons, and many others, that UNESCO declared the Galapagos Islands a Natural Heritage of Mankind site.

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands, Origin of the Species

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	Ecuador, Galapagos Islands Ecuador is draped across the equator in the north-western corner of South America. It shares a disputed border with Peru to the south and east, borders Colombia to the north and abuts the Pacific Ocean to the west. The country can be divided into four regions: the western coastal lowlands, the Andean backbone, the eastern jungles of the Amazonian basin and the Galápagos Islands. The central highlands are composed of two volcanic ranges separated by a central valley, where much of the population lives. The highest peak is Chimborazo (6310 metres).Thanks to its climate and the variety of habitats (alpine grasslands, coastal swamps, tropical rainforest), Ecuador is one of the most species-rich nations on earth. Ecologists have dubbed it a 'megadiversity hotspot'. Animals include several species of monkey, plus sloths, llamas and alpacas. Bird-watchers come from all over the world to see the famous Andean Condor but there are plenty of other bird species: about half of the 58 species found on the Galápagos Islands are endemic. Ecuador's freshwater fish are equally exotic, but most visitors would rather not personally experience the amazing qualities of electric eels, piranhas and the tiny candiru catfish - which can swim up the human urethra and lodge there by erecting sharp spines. Visit our sponsor in: Galapagos Islands, Origin of the Species To discover the Galapagos Islands is to discover nature in its purest state. So pure, in fact, that it led the young English naturalist Charles Darwin, who visited the islands in 1835, to write "The Origin of the Species" and the world has not been the same since. Located 1,000 Km. off Ecuador's Pacific coast, this mysterious and fascinating archipelago is comprised of 13 large islands, six smaller ones and over 40 islets. Together they cover 7,500 sq. Km. Most are south of the Equator where several marine currents converge. Thus, all of the elements were in place to create this zoological, geological and botanical wonder. Through the evolutionary process, climate, ocean currents and the comparative lack of predatory enemies including man the Galapagos became one of the strangest and most compelling places on our planet. Flora and fauna, arriving on different "routes" across the waters from the mainland, colonized the original Galapagos lava beds. The organisms which survived evolved to constitute species unique to the world. All of the Galapagos reptiles, half of the birds, 32% of the plants and 25% of the fish, as well as many of the invertebrates, are found only in the archipelago. The terrestrial and marine environments in Galapagos create a multiplicity of attractive and unique landscapes which have captivated generation of tourists and scientists. Giant tortoise, marine and land iguanas and lava lizards constitute the most spectacular reptile group found anywhere. Birds are represented by more than 13 species of varying finches and also by flightless cormorants, small penguins, sparrow hawks, flamingos, albatrosses and boobies, among others, Mammals found there include beautiful and playful seals and dolphins. It is for all of these reasons, and many others, that UNESCO declared the Galapagos Islands a Natural Heritage of Mankind site.