The Galápagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, 960 Km. (596 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. Their administration has been in the hands of Ecuador since 1832. They are widely known as one of the greatest natural treasures of the planet.

They possess a unique biodiversity of animal and vegetal species which provide useful biological information for ecological research.

There are only five inhabited islands: San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana and Baltra. Local economy is based on tourism, which is the main source of income. The islands welcome some 90,000 visitors per year.