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pirates and whalers who survived off of the endemic animal life that flourished there,
eventually driving some of its species to extinction in the process. In 1835, the young geo-
logist and naturalist Charles Darwin disembarked upon its shores to study its eclectic
wildlife - a journey that would become crucial to forming the basis for his Theory of
Evolution presented in the epic work Origin of Species .
The Galápagos Islands were named a National Park in 1959, a World Heritage Site in
1978 and a Marine Reserve and Biosphere Reserve in 1986. Today the archipelago re-
ceives almost 200,000 visitors a year who travel from around the globe to witness this
Wonder of The World in person. The live eco-theater of the Galápagos stars a host of tal-
ents literally unseen elsewhere, from Giant Tortoises to dancing blue-footed birds and co-
pious schools of Galápagos sharks. The list is wondrously long but island animals can be
easily distinguished into three different types: endemic, native and introduced.
Endemic species can only be found in the archipelago, while natives like Frigatebirds oc-
cur here naturally as well as in other places. Most endemic species count reptiles among
them (lava lizards, Pink Iguanas and Pinta Tortoises) while airborne animals like the
Waved Albatross, Galápagos Hawk and red-throated Frigatebirds complete the list. But
without a doubt it's the extroverted Galápagos Sea Lions that steal the show. They are the
largest mammals on the archipelago with colonies spread throughout the islands, making
them impossible to miss. The babies are especially curious and swim with visitors daily.
Things to do at the Galápagos unsurprisingly revolve around its main event: the wildlife.
Named one of the Underwater Wonders of the World, world-class scuba diving takes the
cake here, and while the conditions are best-suited for experienced divers, beginners' itin-
eraries can definitely be booked and unsurpassed snorkeling opportunities abound. Hiking
through the sacred Palo Santo forest on Seymour Norte , through two mile-long lava tun-
nels on Santa Cruz Island or around the freshwater lake El Junco held within an extinct
volcanic caldera on Isla San Cristóbal represent just a few unforgettable hikes featured on
the islands, while secluded swimming holes and unbeatable surf spots roughly round out
an endless list of activity options.
What with the diversified wildlife and unforgettable experiences the Galápagos Islands of-
fer, you can expect to see many, many other tourists during your stay. Numbers peak in
August and dip during January, February, September and October. Spring brings more
rain, sunshine, colorful flora as well as calmer and warmer waters, but with less marine
life to watch. Summer brings the most tourists with it in conjunction to overcast skies and
colder waters, but, ironically, the best time to dive. With all this in mind, it can be difficult
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