Nature's laboratory, the fascinating natural habitat of the Galapagos Islands is the place to go when you are looking to uncover secrets of our past.
A world famous site now, it was the evolution ideas of Charles Darwin that shook the world and put it right on the map.
Since then, there has been an increase every year on the amount of visitors who grace the shores as they look to see the very rare parts of this place off the coast of Ecuador that not many people get a chance to view.
Although Europeans had discovered the islands as early as 1535, it was Darwin's arrival in 1835 that led to them eventually becoming famous.
By studying the unique species, Darwin managed to further develop the natural selection theories and concepts for evolution.
Indeed, the first tourists in the 1950s were generally scientists.
In 1959, the islands were declared a national park (of Ecuador) leading to tourism beginning in the 1960s.
It continued to grow throughout the 70s and, to an even greater extent, in the 80s.
Tourists flocked to the Galapagos in numbers of around 41,000 back in 1991, but this has rose a lot during time and the number is now 170,000 every year.
This became the first ever Natural World Heritage Site in the world back in 1978.
The conservations of the islands are helped when you pay the park's entrance fee because around half of it goes to this aid.
Of course, travelling between the islands needs to be done on boat and this is what leads to the great number of cruise type tours on offer.
The park controls the access that the boats have to each of the islands and some boats will only be licensed to stop at certain islands.
In order to keep away from breeding sites and fragile area, tourist divers are restricted and must go with guides.
While there are many things being done to aid conservation, the constant tourism increases are leading to a vast amount of concern and in 2007 it was on the World Heritage in Danger list by UNESCO.
One of the biggest threats facing the islands is that of invasive species that find their way there by stowing away on ships and planes.
The type of tourism has altered as well.
Originally, tourists were primarily those interested in nature.
Now, however, this has changed to include more tourists who are simply putting the destination on their bucket lists as well as those who are interested in recreational activities such as camping and kayaking.
This is creating further stress on the ecosystem which may be harmed by the need for a larger infrastructure.
As with Machu Picchu for Peru, the income generated by the islands is important for the economy of Ecuador.
On top of this, the fees paid to enter the park give imperative funding that helps to care for the species that inhabit the islands.
Since then, thanks to the measures taken to help conservation by Ecuador, UNESCO has been able to take the park of this list while also adding extra regulations like the need to use the park's second airport more often in order to aid efforts.
A world famous site now, it was the evolution ideas of Charles Darwin that shook the world and put it right on the map.
Since then, there has been an increase every year on the amount of visitors who grace the shores as they look to see the very rare parts of this place off the coast of Ecuador that not many people get a chance to view.
Although Europeans had discovered the islands as early as 1535, it was Darwin's arrival in 1835 that led to them eventually becoming famous.
By studying the unique species, Darwin managed to further develop the natural selection theories and concepts for evolution.
Indeed, the first tourists in the 1950s were generally scientists.
In 1959, the islands were declared a national park (of Ecuador) leading to tourism beginning in the 1960s.
It continued to grow throughout the 70s and, to an even greater extent, in the 80s.
Tourists flocked to the Galapagos in numbers of around 41,000 back in 1991, but this has rose a lot during time and the number is now 170,000 every year.
This became the first ever Natural World Heritage Site in the world back in 1978.
The conservations of the islands are helped when you pay the park's entrance fee because around half of it goes to this aid.
Of course, travelling between the islands needs to be done on boat and this is what leads to the great number of cruise type tours on offer.
The park controls the access that the boats have to each of the islands and some boats will only be licensed to stop at certain islands.
In order to keep away from breeding sites and fragile area, tourist divers are restricted and must go with guides.
While there are many things being done to aid conservation, the constant tourism increases are leading to a vast amount of concern and in 2007 it was on the World Heritage in Danger list by UNESCO.
One of the biggest threats facing the islands is that of invasive species that find their way there by stowing away on ships and planes.
The type of tourism has altered as well.
Originally, tourists were primarily those interested in nature.
Now, however, this has changed to include more tourists who are simply putting the destination on their bucket lists as well as those who are interested in recreational activities such as camping and kayaking.
This is creating further stress on the ecosystem which may be harmed by the need for a larger infrastructure.
As with Machu Picchu for Peru, the income generated by the islands is important for the economy of Ecuador.
On top of this, the fees paid to enter the park give imperative funding that helps to care for the species that inhabit the islands.
Since then, thanks to the measures taken to help conservation by Ecuador, UNESCO has been able to take the park of this list while also adding extra regulations like the need to use the park's second airport more often in order to aid efforts.
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