Basic Facts about the Canary Islands

Basic Facts ~

Part of Spain, the Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean 1,350 km south of the Iberian Peninsula. They lie closer to the African coastline than they do to Spain, with their nearest neighbour being Morocco, a mere 95km away.

Known as Islas Canarias and The Canaries, this archipelago contains 7 main islands and another small group of 6 islands known as the Chinijo archipelago which are mostly uninhabited.

The Canaries have so much to offer visitors from their beautiful sandy beaches and glorious sunshine to their world recognized natural attractions and breathtaking landscapes.

Taburiente Volcano

Mount Teide

Volcanic Islands ~

Each of the islands is volcanic in origin and serves as a reminder of a large volcanic mountain range lying beneath the Atlantic Ocean.

The volcanic crater at Mount Teide on Tenerife is the highest volcano in Spain and the third tallest in the world of a volcanic ocean island.

A major landmark in Tenerife it was designated a National Reserve in 1954. Only one of the islands, La Gomera has had no activity in the last million years and only four seeing activity in more recent years.

Sun, Sea and Volcanic Rock

The Canaries Weather ~

Known as “The Land of Eternal Spring” the wonderful sub tropical climate of these islands, produces all year round sunshine. The temperatures here rarely drop below 18C in the winter, rising to over 24C in the summer months.

This subtropical climate is regulated by the Gulf Stream and Trade Winds which affects the climatic conditions of each island individually.

As the islands all lie at different locations in respect to the north-east trade winds, climates may be warm and wet or very dry. With over 12 million visitors a year, the islands are a popular all year round destination for tourists.

Jameos del Agua, Haria, Lanzarote

The Canary Islands Population

• Tenerife – 906, 000
• Gran Canaria – 845,000
• Lanzarote – 139,000
• Fuerteventura – 103, 500
• La Palma – 86,300
• La Gomera – 22,700
• El Hierro – 10,500

The Chinijo Archipelago -

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• La Graciosa – 658
• Alegranza - uninhabited
• Isla de Lobos - uninhabited
• Montana Clara - uninhabited

Roque del Este - uninhabited

Roque del Oeste - uninhabited

Tourism ~

Tourism has been a major growth Industry for The Canaries since 1990 with large amounts of foreign investment used for developing real estate including hotels and apartments.

The most popular islands in terms of visitors each year are Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote followed by Fuerteventura and La Palma.

In addition to tourism, there are approximately 300,000 foreign nationals who live on the islands and are mainly British, German, Moroccan or South American.

My first holiday abroad with friends was to Gran Canaria and the lively resort of Playa del Ingles.

Five Irish girls living it up without the watchful eyes of our parents bring back many unforgettable memories in this party town that seemed to never sleep.

Tenerife is Naturally Beautiful

Map of Tenerife

Beach at San Andres

Tenerife ~

This island is the largest, most populated and most visited. Serviced by two airports (Tenerife North Airport and Tenerife South Airport) it welcomes over 5 million visitors annually.

The most popular place to visit on Tenerife is the volcanic crater of Mount Teide which was designated a National Reserve in 1954 by the World Heritage.

The island is one of the most liveliest, if it is partying through the night you are seeking and the hotspots of Los Cristianos and Playa de La Americas have more than enough bars, clubs and restaurants to satisfy.

If enjoying nature is more your passion then this island is the perfect place to soak in the extraordinary wealth of natural beauty that exists in the islands.

With 43 protected areas Tenerife is home to over 1400 species of plants and unique species of mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, birds and fish.

Dunes of Maspalomas

Map of Gran Canaria

Playa del Ingles

Gran Canaria ~

The second most populated and visited of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is an island full of climatic and landscape contradictions.

The north of the island is cooler and less visited than the warm and sunny south which tends to be where tourists flock to.

Stretching only 40km from north to south, the dramatic landscape includes dramatic volcanic mountains, tropical forests, golden sandy beaches and desert areas.

Approximately half the island is a protected area and there are a staggering 33 different areas including nature reserves, nature parks, protected landscapes, and areas of scientific interest.

With over 2.2 million visitors a year, the main tourist resorts are Playa del Ingles, Puerto Rico, Maspalomas and Las Palmas which are serviced by the only airport on the island; GranCanaria airport.

Horticulture is a thriving industry here and plantations of coffee, sugar cane, tobacco and bananas grow alongside orange groves. Thousands of exotic fruits including mangoes, papayas and avocados are grown in abundance.

Puerto del Carmen

Map of Lanzarote

Vines Growing On a Crater

Lanzarote ~

Lanzarote is driven predominantly by tourism and agriculture. A beautiful volcanic island with stunning beaches it possesses its own unique identity.

One of the most dramatic landscapes on this island is at the Timanfaya National park which is entirely volcanic.

The last eruption was in the 18^th Century but volcanic activity is still present with hot point areas that can reach temperatures of 100 – 200 C at the surface and up to 600 C at a depth of 13 metres.

Vineyards growing in volcano craters are quite a sight and this is the island for volcano powered barbeques!

The main resorts are Puerto del Carmen, CostaTeguise, Playa Blanca, Charco del Palo and Teguise who welcome large numbers of visitors annually.

I spent a week in Playa Blanca on my own for a chill out week in the sun during the month of February for some much needed winter sun.

I loved everything about this place and it was ideal for a single girl who wanted to have a vacation alone and feel totally safe.

Great food, shopping, crafts, beaches and landscapes with nearby Puerto del Carmen definitely worthy of a visit.

Morro Jable Beach

Map of Fuerteventura

Majorera Cheese

Fuerteventura ~

Believed to be the oldest island in the archipelago, Fuerteventura is the second largest island.

With its elongated shape, it is little surprise to find out it has the longest beaches out of all the islands.

The beaches are either golden sand or black volcanic shingle and there are no fewer than 152 dotted along the coastline.

In 2009 it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

If you are looking for a wild party atmosphere then this is not the island for you.

Ideal for those looking for a more relaxing holiday such as couples, families or nature lovers, looking for some winter sun.

Water Sports enthusiasts particularly windsurfers will be in paradise here.

World class windsurfing conditions on the wild west coast of the island are in complete contrast to the safe, secluded waters on the east coast.

Top places to stay include Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Sotavento, or the less commercial towns of El Cotillo and Morro Jable.

Caldera de Taburiente

Map of La Palma

Room With a View

La Palma ~

Said to be the most unspoilt and beautiful of the top 5 islands, La Palma is well worth a visit.

Mountains and volcanoes, beaches, forests, rain forests, tiny sleepy villages and breathtaking views are all here on La Palma.

The island is situated 200km west of the African coastline (the furthest away of the group) and the nearest land west of it is Brazil.

The main holiday centres on the island are Los Cancajos, Puerto Naos, Tazacorte, and Santa Cruz de La Palma with many tiny villages dotted around the island which are ideal for those seeking less commercial settings.

The spectacular volcanic crater of Taburiente was designated a natural reserve in 1954 and is a major attraction for visitors.

The Caldera del Taburiente is the world’s largest erosion crater with a diameter of 10 kilometres and a wall height of up to 2000 metres.

The crater lies within the stunning Taburiente National Park which totally dominates the landscape.

The main flora of the park is mad up of an extensive forest of Canarian Island Pine which also has an important population of the endangered Canary Islands Juniper trees present.

Isla de Lobos Lagoon

Chinijo Islands ~

Alegranza

The Chinijo Archipelago ~

Located in the northeaster part of the Canary Islands, these islands are all uninhabited apart from La Graciosa which is the smallest inhabited island in the Canaries but the major island within the Chinijo Archipelago.

La Graciosa ~

With a population of less than 1,000, there are only two inhabited settlements on La Graciosa.

For those looking for a quiet retreat Caleta del Sobo and Casas de Pedro Barba are the options here.

Roads and even pavements are only unpaved sand, often being swept of footprints by the locals in the early morning.

If living simply is what you want from your holiday in a beautiful natural landscape, this island made entirely of volcanic rock and sand is the place for you to kick back in.

Lobos Island ~

Located a few kilometres off the coastline of Fuerteventura, Lobos Island or Isla de Lobos is popular for day trippers who have an interest in geology, flora and fauna. Monk seals were the only inhabitants on the island when it was first discovered in the 15^th century and are mostly extinct today. The island was the first of the islands to be designated a natural park and it has since been recognised as an area of special protection to birds. To protect the natural beauty of the island, limited access is afforded to visitors with many restricted areas.

Alegranza ~

A small uninhabited island Alegranza is home to a volcano. The volcanic crater measures 1.1 kilometres in diameter and an altitude of 289 metres. On the eastern side of Alegranza is a lighthouse which was first discovered in 1865 and was designated a historical monument in 2002.

Montana Clara ~

Volcanic in origin and totally uninhabited, it is a tiny islet that is part of a nature reserve and a refuge for marine birds.

Roque de Este and Roque de Oeste ~

The two smallest in the group they are both volcanic in origin and uninhabited.

Interesting Facts About The Canary Islands ~

1. The Canary Islands has 2 capital cities which are on two islands. Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria share the status of being the capital
2. Canarian Wrestling (Lucha Canaria) is an ancient form of wrestling thought to have derived from the islands original inhabitants the Guanches. Part of folklore it may still be seen in local festivals and celebrations.
3. The Canaries are home to the endangered Loggerheaded Turtle.
4. There are 8 airports in The Canaries.
5. Siam Park is the self confessed “largest water park in Europe” and is completely Thai themed. Situated in southern Tenerife this park, with over twenty five buildings, is said to be the largest collection of Thai themed buildings outside of Thailand.
6. The great architect, artist and landscaper, Cesar Manrique was from Lanzarote and his amazing works and influence are evident here and Tenerife, El Hierro and La Gomera.
7. The last volcanic eruption was in 1971 on La Palma.
8. One of the smallest hotels in the world is on El Hierro and consists of 4 rooms.
9. Christopher Columbus stopped here.
10. The microclimate in the islands is said to be the best in the world.
11. The oldest golf club in Spain is on Gran Canaria.
12. The pinewood on the islands has the ability to resist fire.
13. 4 out of 13 national parks in Spain are in The Canary Islands.
14. La Palma airport uses wind energy.
15. Sergio Rodriguez was born in San Cristobal de La Laguna. Played point guard for the Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks and the Portland Trail Blazers.
16. El Hierro is a self sufficient island in clean energy with its wind and water energy station.
17. The Canaries is home to the oldest species of crab in the world.
18. Tenerife is home to one of the top 10 longest volcanic tubes in the world.
19. Agatha Christie wrote two books on the island after visiting in 1927.
20. Award winning wines and cheese are produced here.

Map of The Canary islands

Author Info ~

Information on the author, her bio and full body of works available @Suzie HQ

Credit to homesteadbound ~

All dividers used in this hub are used with permission granted on hub, Creating Dividers to Use on Your Hubs

Basic Facts about the Canary Islands Comments

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on August 02, 2014:

Hi Alun,

S good to hear you had a visit to the Canary Islands and enjoyed Lanzarote and Tenerife. The landscape is so different with the volcanic soil and the vegetation that thrives! Delighted you found this hub interesting and look forward to seeing you soon my friend!

Greensleeves Hubs from Essex, UK on August 02, 2014:

Hi Suzie; I visited two of the islands (Lanzarote and Tenerife) for the first time earlier this year, and I can certainly concur with what you say about them, particularly about the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote and the general feeling of safety on that island.

Even in my own experience of just two islands, the archipelago is clearly diverse and each island has something different to offer. Life may be too short to visit all of them, but I think I must return to at least two of the others - notably I think, La Palma.

This hub is a great general overview of all the islands and the key attractions of each. Good to read this; the presentation, imagery and factual content all contribute, and I hope to read more of your articles in the future. As for Gran Canaria and your comment: 'Five Irish girls living it up without the watchful eyes of our parents' - well, I won't pry further into that! :-)

Best wishes. Voted up, Alun

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 23, 2013:

Hi Paula,

You are a delight! LOL Travel Agency always appealed as did being a travel rep at resorts. it may have been the attraction of great weather, nightlife and foreign gentlemen that was a major factor and not the actual job!! LOL

Would love to work in Tourism and definitely thinking of a few options when in Italy to go with my online writing.

Puerto del Carmen is lovely and picturesque around a busy port. Much of the villages here and in Greek islands are white and look so fresh and appealing compared to our own towns, cities and villages. One of the things I adore in the Canaries.

All my essentials are grown here so it is heaven for sure!! Feta cheese on demand would make it perfect!!

Appreciate your support and votes my friend!!!

Suzie from Carson City on January 22, 2013:

Suzie.....Yes, but do they have all the ingredients we need for our natural skin care products and cosmetics?

AWW seriously, Have you been employed as a Travel Agent at some point? You just gave the most fabulous description and most inviting explanation of the Canary Islands.....I'm excited to go, tomorrow! So much about this is attractive......British, German, Moroccan & So. American combo of inhabitants is too interesting in itself......The photo of Puerto del Carmen ...looks surreal, Suzie.....it's entirely pure white. How lovely and peaceful!..........

Bananas oranges, coffee and tobacco? I'm all set.....sounds like heaven!

Thanks for this superb article, Suzie!...UP++++

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 22, 2013:

Hi prasetio,

Lovely to see you again. Appreciate your lovely comments here, the Canaries are amazing with so much to offer. With a bit of luck you will get to see them for yourself! Many thanks for the votes!!

prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on January 21, 2013:

Dear, Suzie. You have done a great job by writing this hub and share with us. I really enjoy reading the fact about Canary Island and all the pictures as well. I hope I can visit this island one day. Voted up!

Prasetio

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 21, 2013:

Hi Peggy,

Lovely to see you here and many thanks for your lovely comments! The Canaries have so much to offer and they really do appeal on every level. With so many natural beauty spots you can really get away from the maddening crowds easily on these islands.

Between all my family we have all covered the top 5 islands and a number of repeat visits so that's all ages as my dad has been several times in the winter and loves Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. I hope you get a chance to venture this way and to experience the islands in person but if not I am glad you enjoyed my intro to these gems! Many thanks for all the votes and shares, you are a star!!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on January 21, 2013:

Hi Bill,

LOL, you are gas! Thanks so much for giving me a laugh, sorry to disappoint on the canary island moisturizer, I will see what I can come up with for you !!!!!! I wanted to bring a little variety back as i love Travel so glad you enjoyed this!! Appreciate always your kind words! :-)

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on January 21, 2013:

Hi Suzie,

What a grand place you have shown us...or I should say places. The Canary Islands are so beautiful judging from the photos and your descriptions. The vineyards with the rock walls were certainly unusual in appearance. 2 capitol cities! That is also unusual. I have heard of these places like La Palma and Tenerife but now have a much greater idea of what I would find there were I so fortunate to be able to visit. Thank you for writing this interesting hub. Voted UUBI and will share!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on January 21, 2013:

Okay, honestly, I saw the hub and the title and I thought there was a skin moisturizer called Canary Islands. LMAO!

To my great surprise, it was a hub I could really get interested in, and I did, and now I want to go there. :)

Good job Irish!