Gran Canaria -
The third largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria lies at the centre of the island group about 210 kilometres from the northwest coast of Africa and has the highest population of all the Canaries with over 800,000 inhabitants. In terms of tourism it is one of the most popular islands and attracts between 1 and 2 million visitors every year.
The early inhabitants of Gran Canaria would have come from North Africa in around 3000 BC and similar to the other Canary Islands was later settled by the Guanches, a tall, blonde-haired race of people. Gran Canaria along with Tenerife had a sizeable population of Guanches, who held sway over the island until the arrival of the Spanish in the 14th and 15th Centuries. Conquered by the Spanish in the latter part of the 15th Century, Gran Canaria was colonised by the first half of the 16th Century.
Present day Gran Canaria has a thriving tourist industry and attracts more visitors than any of its neighbouring islands. Holidaymakers arrive in their thousands to enjoy the mild climate, the sandy beaches and the wide variety of tourist attractions.
The capital of Gran Canaria is Las Palmas, located in the north of the island. Las Palmas is the largest town in the Canary Islands, with a population of almost 400,000 and was founded by the Spanish in 1478, subsequently becoming an important port. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a charming old town with lots of interesting places to visit.
Gran Canaria is divided into two distinct climatic regions by a mountain range at its centre. At its highest point, the volcano Pico de las Nieves rises to 6,394 feet and is the highest point on Gran Canaria, here it is usually cold and misty and can sometimes experience snow during the winter time. To the north of this mountain range, the climate is warm and humid and the landscape lush and fertile, to the south the climate is hot and dry and the landscape more arid. Overall Gran Canaria enjoys a wonderful mild climate with an average annual temperature of 21 degrees Centigrade (70 degrees Farenheit).
Most of the sun-seeking visitors to Gran Canaria head for the southern resorts such as Puerto Rico and Maspalomas, Maspalomas being the largest resort on Gran Canaria, boating a huge number of hotels and apartment blocks, catering for a large percentage of Gran Canaria’s holidaymakers. Attracted by miles of sandy beaches, great water sports facilities and wide variety of bars and restaurants, thousands visit each year. Puerto Rico, a former fishing village has also become a significant resort with plenty of first class hotels and accommodation. Puerto Rico is especially popular with golfers and water sports enthusiasts but only has a small beach, made prettier with sand imported from the Sahara Desert.
Gran Canaria has lots of other interesting little towns and villages including San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Puerto de Mogán, Gáldar, Moya, Arucas and Firgas.
Gran Canaria is easily reached by air from most major European airports, from mainland Spain and from the other Canary Islands, it can also be reached by ferry and hydrofoil.
Gran Canaria Map - Gran Canaria Weather - Gran Canaria Airport Transfers - Playa del Ingles - Puerto Rico Map - Puerto Rico Weather - La Palma
Need to sell or rent property in Gran Canaria? Or perhaps you have a business or service you would like to promote? Why not try advertising with us? - Get more exposure for your Gran Canaria property or business - click here for further details:- Advertise Gran Canaria Property
The third largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria lies at the centre of the island group about 210 kilometres from the northwest coast of Africa and has the highest population of all the Canaries with over 800,000 inhabitants. In terms of tourism it is one of the most popular islands and attracts between 1 and 2 million visitors every year.
The early inhabitants of Gran Canaria would have come from North Africa in around 3000 BC and similar to the other Canary Islands was later settled by the Guanches, a tall, blonde-haired race of people. Gran Canaria along with Tenerife had a sizeable population of Guanches, who held sway over the island until the arrival of the Spanish in the 14th and 15th Centuries. Conquered by the Spanish in the latter part of the 15th Century, Gran Canaria was colonised by the first half of the 16th Century.
Present day Gran Canaria has a thriving tourist industry and attracts more visitors than any of its neighbouring islands. Holidaymakers arrive in their thousands to enjoy the mild climate, the sandy beaches and the wide variety of tourist attractions.
The capital of Gran Canaria is Las Palmas, located in the north of the island. Las Palmas is the largest town in the Canary Islands, with a population of almost 400,000 and was founded by the Spanish in 1478, subsequently becoming an important port. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a charming old town with lots of interesting places to visit.
Gran Canaria is divided into two distinct climatic regions by a mountain range at its centre. At its highest point, the volcano Pico de las Nieves rises to 6,394 feet and is the highest point on Gran Canaria, here it is usually cold and misty and can sometimes experience snow during the winter time. To the north of this mountain range, the climate is warm and humid and the landscape lush and fertile, to the south the climate is hot and dry and the landscape more arid. Overall Gran Canaria enjoys a wonderful mild climate with an average annual temperature of 21 degrees Centigrade (70 degrees Farenheit).
Most of the sun-seeking visitors to Gran Canaria head for the southern resorts such as Puerto Rico and Maspalomas, Maspalomas being the largest resort on Gran Canaria, boating a huge number of hotels and apartment blocks, catering for a large percentage of Gran Canaria’s holidaymakers. Attracted by miles of sandy beaches, great water sports facilities and wide variety of bars and restaurants, thousands visit each year. Puerto Rico, a former fishing village has also become a significant resort with plenty of first class hotels and accommodation. Puerto Rico is especially popular with golfers and water sports enthusiasts but only has a small beach, made prettier with sand imported from the Sahara Desert.
Gran Canaria has lots of other interesting little towns and villages including San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Puerto de Mogán, Gáldar, Moya, Arucas and Firgas.
Gran Canaria is easily reached by air from most major European airports, from mainland Spain and from the other Canary Islands, it can also be reached by ferry and hydrofoil.
Gran Canaria Map - Gran Canaria Weather - Gran Canaria Airport Transfers - Playa del Ingles - Puerto Rico Map - Puerto Rico Weather - La Palma
Need to sell or rent property in Gran Canaria? Or perhaps you have a business or service you would like to promote? Why not try advertising with us? - Get more exposure for your Gran Canaria property or business - click here for further details:- Advertise Gran Canaria Property
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