The Galapagos Archipelago is considered an ecological refuge located approximately 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador. This archipelago is made up of 58 islands that are part of the Ecuadorian domain, of which only four are occupied by men, on these islands it is possible to find a rich biodiversity, in addition to home to endemic animals such as the Galapagos tortoises, which is 1.80 m long, weighs 225 kg and lives up to 150 years old. The place attracted hundreds of researchers as it is considered a large biological laboratory.
The group of islands in the archipelago is formed from volcanic manifestations that emerged about 5 million years ago. Probably the animals arrived in the archipelago and during the long evolutionary process and other determining factors, such as the barriers imposed by biogeography, derived particular living beings, that is, they are found only on certain islands, the geographic isolation prevented a genetic exchange between the beings.
The Galapagos Islands attracted important scholars, especially the naturalist Charles Darwin who, based on the observations made, instead, he developed some theories, in addition to serving as a basis for the elaboration of works such as A Viagem do Beagle and A origin das species. It is currently a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site.
By Eduardo de Freitas
Graduated in Geography
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/arquipelago-galapagos.htm
