Galapagos Islands: A Showcase of Evolution

Nestling more than 1000km (600 miles) from the South American coast among the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos are famous as the source of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, following his historic visit to the archipelago aboard HMS Beagle in 1835. Today, these 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique 'living museum and showcase of evolution'. Located at the confluence of three ocean currents, the Galápagos are a melting pot of diverse marine species. Local volcanic activity is testament to the process that originally formed these islands.