|Galápagos Islands (ɡəˈlæpəɡəs, Spanish ɡaˈlapaɣɔs)|
|Official Spanish name: Archipiélago de Colón a group of 15 islands in the Pacific west of Ecuador, of which they form a province: discovered (1535) by the Spanish; main settlement on San Cristóbal. Pop: 18 640 (2001). Area: 7844 sq km (3028 sq miles)|
Note: The islands are known for their tortoises, penguins, marine iguanas, and other unusual animals.
Note: Charles Darwin visited these islands and gathered evidence that supported his theory of natural selection.