The Galapagos Islands are 21 islands (18 of them are major islands) off the coast of Ecuador. I was eager to read this because, although I'd heard of the islands, I didn't remember anything about their locale or importance. Although, in this book, there are more images of the men important to the area, the color and sepia photos of the animals/reptiles/mammals are striking. This book tells of their fascinating emergence millions of years ago as the result of volcanic activity.

The islands are about 600 miles west of South America. The islands were only discovered by pirates about 500 years ago. Whalers discovered the islands were great breeding grounds for sperm whales, tortoises, and fur seals. Probably the most famous visitor was the naturalist Charles Darwin. Don't miss the story about the 'World's Most Unusual Post Office.'

There's a fascinating vignette about Captain Alessandro Malaspina, an Italian explorer who should have been as famous as Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. He charted the geography, flora, and fauna of Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand, the Pacific Northwest, and the Galapagos Islands with many journals of his discoveries. However, when he ran afoul of the Spanish Empire, he was thrown in prison and his journals were destroyed.

There are more than 15 pages of references in this book. It is fascinating reading throughout. Enjoy.

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