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

On September 15, 1835, Charles Darwin landed at the Galapagos Islands.

From The Daily Beast

Then the ship turned its prow westward across the Pacific, only to stop five hundred miles out at the Galapagos Islands.

From Project Gutenberg

Why on the ordinary theory should the Galapagos Islands abound with terrestrial reptiles?

From Project Gutenberg

With this addition to his force, and with the other two prizes following in his wake, Porter returned to the Galapagos Islands.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the other reptilia should be noted two species of lizard of a genus (Amblyrhynchus) confined to the Galapagos Islands.

From Project Gutenberg

"I believe he's making a dash for the Galapagos Islands," he replied.

From Project Gutenberg