"The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed around the equator, 525 nautical miles (972 km/604 mi) west of continental Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The Galápagos archipelago, with a population of around 40,000, is a province of Ecuador; and the islands are all part of Ecuador's national park system. The islands are famed for their vast number of endemic species and the studies by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle that contributed to the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection."

The Galapagos Islands known for its verdant greenery, gargantuan tortoises, and active volcanoes is on the heel of the recent eruption of Cerro Azul, casting lava some 10 kilometers (six miles). What could have been potentially harmful to a neighboring city and the islands' famed giant tortoises, luckily missed both.

In fact, the lava flowed along the same path it did during its last outbursts in 1978 and, 20 years later, in 1998.

But imagine if the Galapagos had not been so fortunate.

Luckily, this beautiful island cluster is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a pseudo-reserve for some of the Galapagos' very exclusive, and very endangered, animalia.

The center is free to guests and features the islands' baby and giant tortoises. Other exhibits include a land iguana section and 'Lonely George', a somber name for the last remaining member of its species.

Whether you cross paths in the wild, on a Galapagos tour, or at the Charles Darwin Research Station, getting up close to an active volcano or a giant tortoise can be found only on the shore of this lush Ecuadorian utopia.

By: Jonathan Hunt
http://www.galapagos.com