Canary Islands
Guide to the Canary Islands an autonomous region of Spain.
Regions of Spain - The Canary Islands
Canary Islands - Lying in the Atlantic Ocean to the west of Morocco are a series of volcanic islands known as the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands belong to Spain but are actually 1,120 kilometres south of the nearest Spanish mainland.
The Canaries geographically belong to a larger group of volcanic islands known as Macaronesia (or the Blessed Islands), others in the group include the Cape Verde Islands, Madeira and the Azores.
There are seven main islands forming the Canaries and these are from west to east - El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuertaventura and Lanzarote (with resorts like Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca). There are some smaller islands including Isla Graciosa, Isla de Alegranza and Isla de Montaña Clara.
The Canary Islands rose from the sea between 8 and 20 million years ago and are of varying ages (Lazarote and Fuertaventura being the oldest).
The islands in total have a resident population of about 1.6 million of which around 800,000 live on Tenerife and 700,000 on Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands cover a land area of 7,447 square kilometres and the topography of the islands varies from rich tropical to sparse volcanic.
The early history of the Canary Islands is shrouded in mystery and many believed them to be the long lost land of Atlantis. The first settlers probably arrived in around 500BC and were thought to have come from North Africa.
Though the Canary Islands were known to the Romans and other ancient civilizations they were firmly put on the map in 1312 by an Italian sea captain called Lanzarotto Malocello who landed on what is now called Lanzarote. He was followed by more Italian, Portuguese and Spanish sailors who plundered the islands and brought back slaves during the following century.
These early visitors encountered the native inhabitants of the islands who were known as Guanches and were a tall, blue-eyed, blonde haired race of peoples who were generally friendly and welcoming.
The conquest of the Canary Islands occurred in the 15th Century when a Norman knight with Spanish support invaded the islands of Fuertaventura, La Gomera and El Hierro. In the following years there was some rivalry over control of the islands between Spain and the other great sea power at the time, Portugal but by a treaty they were eventually annexed to Spain in 1479. The remaining islands soon followed and the native population mostly died out or were forced into slavery.
During the 16th Century the Canary Islands became important for the production of sugar, and as the native trees were felled to make way for sugar-cane fields, the landscape of the islands was changed forever. The islands also became significant as a producer of wine and its local wine vino seco became very popular especially in Britain where the Canary Island Company founded in 1665 monopolized the trading of wine with Britain.
Throughout the 16th and 17th Centuries the islands were frequently attacked but Spanish control held firm, even an attempt by Horacio Lord Nelson to attack Santa Cruz, Tenerife in 1797 failed and famously resulted in him losing his arm.
The Canary Islands officially became a province of Spain in 1821 with Santa Cruz in Tenerife as its capital. In 1982 the islands were granted autonomy to control their own affairs.
The 1950’s and 1960’s saw the beginnings of a tourist industry in the islands and this has grown during the last 40 years to providing some 80% of the islands revenue, though some of the smaller islands still rely on fishing and agriculture for their survival.
Tourist accommodation comprises hotels, holiday villas and apartments. Certain islands have a high concentration of villa accommodation available for rent. For example holiday villas in Lanzarote are extremely popular with British and Irish tourists.
The main tourist islands - Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura - have much to attract those on holiday, with world-class resorts and attractions like the Santa Barbara Golf and Ocean Resort, located next to the fairways of Tenerife's most prestigious golf course. The less frequented islands, however, offer a more laid-back and intimate experience of Canarian culture and will also accommodate tourists with a variety of quaint Canary Islands rentals and other vacation properties.
Canary Islands Links: Canary Islands History
Places to Visit in the Canary Islands:
Lanzarote Places: Puerto del Carmen - Arrecife - Costa Teguise - Guatiza - Haria - Orzola - Playa Blanca - Playa de Papagayo - Yaiza
Lanzarote Attractions: Jameos del Agua - Timanfaya National Park - Isla Graciosa
Related Websites: Playa Blanca Guide
Related Links: Fuerteventura - Lanzarote - Tenerife - Gran Canaria - La Palma - El Hierro - La Gomera - Spain