Darwin's Observations

  • Charles Sets Off

    Charles Sets Off

    22-year-old Charles Darwin sets off on the HMS Beagle voyage as the captain's assistant.
  • Cape Verde Islands

    Cape Verde Islands

    Darwin makes his first observations at the Cape Verde Islands.
  • Crossing the Equator

    Crossing the Equator

    The HMS Beagle voyage crosses the equator, and this is commemorated by a crossing the equator ceremony.
  • Salvador, Brazil

    Salvador, Brazil

    The voyage reaches Salvador, Brazil, and Darwin explores rainforests for the first time. He is in awe of the new, lush beauty of the tropics.
  • Punta Alta, Argentina

    Punta Alta, Argentina

    Darwin discovers giant fossils of animals of "great dimensions" in Puta Alta.
  • Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

    The Captain of the Beagle returns natives back home and tries to start a failed Christian mission.
  • Falkland Islands

    Falkland Islands

    Darwin, at first unimpressed by the dry landscape of the the Falkland Islands, when his interest is sparked by some rocks. In these rocks, he finds fossils, that indicate that the currently barren land was once full of brachiopods.
  • Rio Negro, Argentina

    Rio Negro, Argentina

    Darwin explored the Pampas with the local people (guachos).
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    Chile

    Darwin both experienced the eruption of Mount Osono and the earthquake near Valdivia. He noticed that the earthquake changed the landscape dramatically, much more than it would have normally.
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    Galapagos Islands

    Darwin is intrigued by the many species of plants and animals that were both unique to the Galapagos, but also similar to the mainland. He observes giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally lightfoot crabs, and finches.
  • Sydney Australia

    Sydney Australia

    He meets the marsupials in Australia and wonders why Australia has its own set of mammals.
  • Cocos Islands

    Cocos Islands

    Darwin observes the coral reefs around the islands
  • Mauritius

    Mauritius

    He looks cooled lava, and how it developed the landscape of the island.
  • Cape Town South Africa

    Cape Town South Africa

    The HMS Beagle voyage reached South Africa, and Darwin studies the landscape
  • Bahia and Pernambuco, South America

    Bahia and Pernambuco, South America

    Darwin discovers many interesting organisms in South America but is homesick and seasick, and ready to go home.
  • Falmouth England

    Falmouth England

    Darwin finally reaches home, after 5 years