The Galapagos Islands are a remote archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean west of Ecuador. The islands are home to many unique species found nowhere else, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and the Galapagos penguin. While the islands have strict protections as a national park, human activities like tourism, fishing, and the effects of climate events like El Niño continue to endanger the fragile ecosystem. Conservation efforts aim to preserve the islands' biodiversity for future generations.