Galápagos National Park, National park in Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Galápagos National Park covers almost the entire archipelago, with 13 main islands and many smaller islets scattered across more than 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles). The landscape ranges from black lava fields and sandy beaches to green highlands, where different climate zones meet in a small area.

Ecuador established the protected area in 1959, exactly one century after Charles Darwin published his work on evolution. Two decades later, UNESCO recognized the scientific importance of these islands with World Heritage status.

The name Galápagos comes from the giant tortoises, whose saddle-shaped shells reminded Spanish sailors of riding saddles. Fifteen tortoise species originally existed; human predation in the 18th century by pirates and whalers caused the extinction of three, and eruptions of La Cumbre on Fernandina wiped out that island's species naturally. In 2015 genetic studies identified a new species, Chelonoidis donfaustoi.

Visitors need a transit card and must pay an entrance fee upon arrival. Direct flights from mainland Ecuador reach the islands of Baltra and San Cristóbal, from where boat connections run to the other islands.

Marine iguanas live only on these islands and dive into the ocean to feed on algae. This ability makes them the only lizards in the world that forage for food in the sea.