There are currently 7 wonders of the world. True that they are all amazing, one wonder greatly overlooked is the Galapagos Islands. More specifically, the wildlife these great landmasses behold. Many of Darwin's topics of evolution were theorized from the different species of birds he had observed stationed on those islands, but what makes them all that interesting? What makes Galapogos a place that needs to be visited?

The Galapagos Islands, being just off the coast of Ecuador is home to a unique variety of wildlife. The islands contain 56 species of birds including the 13 different species of Finches that spurred on Darwin's theory of Darwinism. He believed that by studying these birds, he could understand their evolution process and noted that all had adapted from one originating species native to the islands. In Darwinism, he analyzed the individual species and created the book "the origin of species" which stated his process of understanding the change or adaptation in Physical of Behavioral characteristics.

Other species that inhabit the beautiful islands are the Galapagos penguins, the Blue-footed Booby, Sea lions, iguanas, and tortoises. One of the most well-known tortoises to have lived in the Galapagos islands was named Lonesome George. This tortoise, being the last of his kind (the Pinta tortoise), was considered the most endangered creature in the world in which he was unable to continue the line of his species. He served as a large symbol for the conservation of the inhabiting animals in the Galapagos Islands. You may be surprised that Lonesome George although publicized for the loss of his species with the end to the great tortoise, was and is not the only species endangered.

Many are failed in the notification that there is a greater need for the environmental conservation of the Galapagos islands.. The greater the awareness of the endangerment for the unique species of plants and animals found in the islands, the greater the chances the inhabited colonies have of surviving years to come. Many found on the islands, similar to the example of Lonesome George, are endangered. The islands have banned together in an effort to keep the activities involving hunting, fishing, and deforestation at bay, determining these landmasses as environmentally protected, as to influence the spread of the species further in the near future.

The Islands are also well known for their geographical terrain. Being a Volcanic Archipelago near the country of Ecuador, with species of plants and animals being endemic, it is unique from any other ecosystem in the world. One of the largest islands being Isabela island, named after the queen of Castile, it is positioned on the outskirts of the marked equator and is home to the Sierra Negra shield volcanoes. This volcano, being one of the largest tourist attractions separate from the endemic plant and animal species, has erupted six times since the 1940s and due to the amount of sulphuric richness and fertilization within the soil, is used for large agricultural purposes. I visited today, tourists can see active farms positioned on the outskirts of the volcano.

All in all, Galapagos is definitely something that should be placed on everyone's bucket list, culturally and in the natural curiosity for the unique wildlife, Galapagos is a worldwide treasure that is to be preserved in the many years to come.