The Galapagos Island’s, home to giant tortoises, penguins, tropicbirds and Darwin’s inspiration for the theory of evolution has been deemed environmentally sound by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The 18 islands that make up the Galapagos are provinces of Ecuador and home to some of the world’s most exotic animal species from the Galapagos giant tortoise to the flightless cormorant to the beloved Galapagos sea lion.
The islands, that are heavily visited by tourists, have been a World Heritage Site for over 30 years. In 2007 UNESCO put the islands on an endangered list as a result of damage from tourism and invasive animal species. UNESCO credited the government of Ecuador for their swift and aggressive tactics in restoring the natural balance and the island and the reason the islands have been removed from the endangered list.
