Puerto Ayora is with 10 000 inhabitants the largest town in the archipelago.
It is also the major tourist center and busiest harbor boasting of the well-sheltered Acadamy Bay.
Giant Tortoise Breeding is part of the Charles Darwin Station, which
recently also started that program for land iguanas.
The Charles Darwin Station, a non-profit international research center
is located 20 minutes northeast of the town
and famous for its
breeding facilities and ecological work.
The Giant Opuntia Cactus or Prickly Pear Cactus as it is known in
English, often dominates the scenery as they may grow up to several
meters in height. This is one of the most
typical plants growing in arid lowlands close to the shore.
Flowers and other vegetation surrounds the facilities which include a
new
Exhibition Center for the visitors.
A Grooved-billed Ani, member of the cuckoo family is a fairly recent
arrival at the island.
Mocking Bird and Darwin Finch are found in the dry forest
surrounding the town.
Sunrise over the he town
with the highlands in the background.
