The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador. The islands are situated at the confluence of three ocean currents, which has resulted in a unique blend of marine life that is found nowhere else in the world. The Galapagos Islands are renowned for their diverse wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and a variety of bird species. The islands were famously visited by the naturalist Charles Darwin in 1835, and his observations there contributed to his development of the theory of evolution.