Now, you may be wondering, why the Galapagos? What makes these particular islands so relevant to the study of diversity on Earth? a. One reason lies in the remoteness of these 18 islands in the Pacific Ocean. b. This isolation has allowed a breathtaking diversity of wildlife to flourish on these islands. c. From giant sea-turtles and iguanas to finches and sharks, the diversity of animals on the Galapagos has astonished scientists since the islands were first explored in 1835. d. By uncovering how diversity emerged on these islands, you’ll develop a model for how diversity developed on the Earth as a whole.