Galapagos Islands - Ecuador

GALAPAGOS, ECUADOR - NOVEMBER 12: A sea lion in the Galapagos Islands on November 2011, Galapagos, Ecuador. The 19 islands that form Galapagos are situated in the Pacific Ocean, 1,000 km from the South American continent. Its surrounding marine reserve has been called a unique living museum and showcase of evolution. In 1979, UNESCO declared the Galapagos Islands Natural Heritage for Humanity. Local authorities informed that Galapagos National Park is going to regulate visits of tourists to preserve the animal and plant species. The new regulations will start on February 2012 and include the concept of conscious tourism, an idea developed by Ecuador, which includes sustainable and ethical tourism. (Photo by Patricio Realpe/LatinContent via Getty Images)