These dozens of islands and islets scattered across 45,000 square kilometres of Pacific Ocean are home to many endemic species of fish, plants and reptiles. 

 

For Darwinians and wildlife spotters, the archipelago is something of a Mecca, offering a rare opportunity to snorkel with penguins and sea lions, swim with hammerhead sharks, observe giant tortoise and marine iguanas, come face to face with red Sally Lightfoot crabs and Galapagos hawk and sidle up to the nests of frigate birds, flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies.  

 

Some 70,000 tourists a year fly to the archipelago and then explore the islands by pricey cruise tour. In order to reduce the impact of tourism on the Galapagos' unique flora and fauna, it is only possible to visit 50 or so designated tourists sites. 

 

The Galapagos are serviced by two airports. The main tourist hub is the town of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz.