GALAPAGOS CHOSEN AS THE WORLD BEST ISLANDS
The Galapagos were chosen as the best islands in the world by readers of travelers Travel + Leisure magazine, based in New York, United States. The archipelago tops the list of "The Best Islands in the World", produced by the media.
The archipelago located almost 1,000 km from the Ecuadorian coast and declared a Natural World Heritage Site, is placed above islands in Indonesia, Greece and Polynesia. The selection took into account pristine places, white sand beaches, exotic flora and fauna, according to the Andes Agency.
"This sanctuary continues to attract travelers with the promise of encounters with playful sea lions and striking blue-footed boobies," says Travel + Leisure in its article.
The list, which was also published in the British newspaper, The Daily Mail, picked the 10 best islands in the world. Galapagos are followed by Bali (Indonesia), Maldives (Indian Ocean), Tasmania (Australia), Santorini (Greece), Moorea (French Polynesia), Maui and Kauai (Hawaii), Great Barrier Reef Island (Australia) and Malta, according to the Andes Agency.
The archipelago of volcanic origin consists of 18 main islands and attracts tourists who seek to observe giant tortoises and endemic plants, "that most people will never see in their lives," said the British media.
The Galapagos are one of the biggest attractions of Ecuador, a country that is strongly committed to promoting tourism as a major source of foreign exchange earnings.