Galápagos Islands

[ guh-lah-puh-gohs; Spanish gah-lah-pah-gaws ]

plural noun

1. an archipelago on the equator in the Pacific, about 600 miles (965 km) W of and belonging to Ecuador: many unique species of animal life. 3,029 sq. mi. (7,845 sq. km).

Galápagos Islands

/ ɡəˈlæpəɡəs; ɡaˈlapaɣɔs /

plural noun

1. a group of 15 islands in the Pacific west of Ecuador, of which they form a province: discovered (1535) by the Spanish; main settlement on San Cristóbal. Pop: 18 640 (2001). Area: 7844 sq km (3028 sq miles) Official Spanish nameArchipiélago de Colón

Galápagos Islands

1. Groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean off South America , owned by Ecuador .

Notes

Charles Darwin visited these islands and gathered evidence that supported his theory of natural selection .

The islands are known for their tortoises, penguins, marine iguanas, and other unusual animals.

Example Sentences

Scientists exploring the ocean around the Galapagos Islands have discovered a healthy, active coral reef, deep below the surface of the sea.

From NewsForKids.net

Blossey, who chairs the university’s deer management program, pointed to aerial shooting efforts used to eradicate feral goats on the Galapagos Islands and in New Zealand earlier this century.

From Los Angeles Times

The Galapagos islands are also far from each other.

From NewsForKids.net

Many special kinds of plants and animals have developed on the Galapagos islands because the islands are so far from other places.

From NewsForKids.net

Blossey, who is also chair of the university’s deer management program, pointed to aerial shooting efforts used to eradicate feral goats on the Galapagos Islands and in New Zealand earlier this century.

From Los Angeles Times