Islands have their own category this early in the competition: other categories include lakes, forests, caves, seascapes, landscapes and more. The other islands currently on the list are certainly beautiful: they include the inspirational Cocos Island of Costa Rica and the windswept Tierra del Fuego in Argentina/Chile as well as many other worthy candidates.

As wonderful as they are, the other islands cannot compete with what Galapagos represents. The Galapagos Islands are unmatched for their pristine state: Fernandina, for example, is one of the only islands in the world not to be afflicted with invasive species: it is still as it was before the islands were discovered by man. The Galapagos Islands are beautiful: long, clean beaches, sapphire waters and marvelous vistas make up many of the visitor sites.

But in the end, it is the life on the islands that gives them an edge. A great deal of the life found on Galapagos is endemic, or found nowhere else on earth. Endemic Galapagos animals include the Giant Tortoise, Marine Iguana, Flightless Cormorant and the Darwin Finches, just to name a few. Other islands certainly have endemic life, but none of them have the spectacular variety that Galapagos does.

Galapagos also occupies a unique place in Natural History. On his 1835 visit, British naturalist Charles Darwin made observations and took samples that he would use years later in outlining his revolutionary theories, which in turn would shake the world. No other islands can claim to have played such a pivotal role in world history!

Be sure to vote for your favorites before July seventh! Join in the millions of online participants and help select the Seven Natural Wonders of the World!