ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Galápagos syndrome

The Galápagos Syndrome is a term used to describe things that are unique to a certain place or country and are not found anywhere else. Kind of like a secret club that you can only be a part of if you live in that place.

For example, the Galápagos Islands are a group of islands located off the coast of Ecuador and they are home to many different animals that are not found anywhere else in the world, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. This is because the animals on the islands evolved differently from the animals on the mainland over time, because they were isolated from other animals and had to adapt to the unique environment of the islands.

Similarly, in Japan, there are many things that are unique to Japan and not found anywhere else, like their language, culture, food and technology. This is also an example of the Galápagos Syndrome.

So, basically, the Galápagos Syndrome refers to things that are special and unique to a certain place or country, because they have evolved or developed separately from other places or countries.