The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. These islands are famous for their unique biodiversity, with many species found nowhere else on Earth. The islands played a crucial role in the development of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Research on the Galápagos Islands focuses on a wide range of topics, including conservation biology, ecology, evolution, geology, and marine biology. Scientists study the islands in order to better understand the processes that have shaped their ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. Research in the Galápagos Islands is important for conservation efforts and for gaining insights into the natural world.