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[[Image:Blue-footed booby.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Blue-footed booby]]The '''Galápagos Islands''' is an archipelago of volcanic islands, situated in the [[Pacific Ocean]] 600 miles to the west of [[Ecuador]].  They are noted for their unique animal and bird life which led the naturalist [[Charles Darwin]] to formulate his [[Theory of Natural Selection]].  The name ''Galápagos'' derives from the [[Spain|Spanish]] word for saddle, as the shape of some of the indigenous species of [[tortoise]] resembled a saddle.

[[Image:Blue-footed booby.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Blue-footed booby]]The '''Galápagos Islands''' is an [[archipelago]] of volcanic islands, situated in the [[Pacific Ocean]] 600 miles to the west of [[Ecuador]].  They are noted for their unique animal and bird life which led the naturalist [[Charles Darwin]] to formulate his [[Theory of Natural Selection]].  The name ''Galápagos'' derives from the [[Spain|Spanish]] word for saddle, as the shape of some of the indigenous species of [[tortoise]] resembled a saddle.

Their remote location meant that the islands had few visitors and almost all of the animals exhibit no natural fear of man.  However, a rising population, the presence of feral pigs and goats, and the pressures of mass tourism have begun to threaten the existence of some species. On April 10, 2007 Rafael Correa Delgado the President of Ecuador issued an emergency decree<ref>http://www.galapagos.org/news/04_2007_Decree.html Presidential decree 4/10/2007</ref> calling for sustainable development.

Their remote location meant that the islands had few visitors and almost all of the animals exhibit no natural fear of man.  However, a rising population, the presence of feral pigs and goats, and the pressures of mass tourism have begun to threaten the existence of some species. On April 10, 2007 Rafael Correa Delgado the President of Ecuador issued an emergency decree<ref>http://www.galapagos.org/news/04_2007_Decree.html Presidential decree 4/10/2007</ref> calling for sustainable development.

Creationists claim that the different types of finch interbreed and are therefore not different species

Creationists claim that the different types of finch interbreed and are therefore not different species

 

 

==Tortoises==

==Tortoises==

[[Image:Tortoise.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Santa Cruz giant tortoise]]The larger Galápagos Islands are home to different types of giant tortoise.  These were previously in great abundance but with no native predators they had no natural defence mechanisms other than their hard shell. They became an easy food source for passing sailors who took them in great numbers to provide fresh meat during their journey.

[[Image:Tortoise.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Santa Cruz giant tortoise]]The larger Galápagos Islands are home to different types of giant tortoise.  These were previously in great abundance but with no native predators they had no natural defence mechanisms other than their hard shell. They became an easy food source for passing sailors who took them in great numbers to provide fresh meat during their journey.