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05: Weird wildlife

The animals of the Galapagos have been isolated for so long that they have evolved very differently from their mainland relatives. They include giant tortoises weighing up to 550 Ib (250 kg) and the marinę iguana, a lizard that dives into the cold ocean to graze on seaweed.

06: Cradle of evolution

In 1835, the Galapagos were visited by Charles Darwin. Intrigued by the strange animals, he noticed that the giant tortoises and some birds varied from island to island. Later, he realized that they had changed over time to suit the conditions on each island—an insight that was key to his world-changing theory of evolution.

07: Marinę riches

Although they lie on the equator, the islands are washed by cold ocean currents flowing north from the icy Southern Ocean. The water is rich in nutrients that support plankton. This then feeds huge schools of fish, which attract predators such as sharks and sea birds. The Galapagos have been declared a marinę wildlife reserve.

08: Magical land

The volcanic landscapes, exciting wildlife, and scientific importance of the Galapagos have madę them a major tourist destination. Each year, thousands of people travel to the islands yet, despite this, most of the islands retain the magical quality of a place almost untouched by the modern world.

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