The smallest country in the rugged Andean highlands, Ecuador has an array of vibrant indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, otherworldly volcanic landscapes, dense rainforest and sublime islands - all in a nation no bigger than the US state of Nevada.
Once a banana republic, Ecuador's politicians still pocket the wealth accumulated from its treasures: a picture-perfect capital, the all-consuming Amazonian jungle, breathtaking wildlife reserves, ancient sites, remote indigenous villages, and, of course, world-famous tropical beaches.
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The twenty-two species of Galapagos reptiles belong to five families: tortoises, marine turtles, lizards/iguanas, geckos and snakes. Twenty are endemic to the archipelago and many are endemic to individual islands.
The Islands are well-known for their giant tortoises ever since their discovery and play an important role in the development of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The name "Galapagos" originates from the Spanish word “galapago” meaning “saddle.” |
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