July 12, 2015
Galapagos Islands was named world's best by readers of the US-based Travel + Leisure magazine. The archipelago off the coast of South America was followed by Bali, Maldives, Tasmania and Santorini. Moorea, Hawaii's Maui and Kauai, the Great Barrier Reef Islands and Malta rounded out the top 10.
A remote volcanic archipelago famed for its exotic animals and plants has been named the best island in the world by readers of a leading travel magazine. Despite being nearly 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador, Galapagos Islands is high on the bucket lists of many travellers who are keen to spot giant tortoises and plants that most people will never see in their lifetime. Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution while studying wildlife on the islands, which are home to marine iguanas, sharks, blue-footed boobies, sea lions and other creatures. In 2010, Galapagos Islands was removed from Unesco’s List of World Heritage in Danger. The UN agency was satisfied that Ecuador’s government had taken steps to address threats posed by invasive species, unbridled tourism and over-fishing.