Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean that belong to Spain. They are located just off the northwest coast of Africa, about 100 kilometres away. There are seven main islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. These islands are famous for their beautiful beaches, warm climate, and natural wonders.

Mount Teide on Tenerife is the highest peak in Spain and a World Heritage Site. It is also considered the 3rd tallest volcano in the world from its base on the ocean floor. The Canary Islands attract millions of visitors each year who come to enjoy their sunny weather and stunning landscapes.

The islands have a rich history, once serving as a stopover for Spanish galleons during the Spanish colonisation of the Americas. Today, the Canary Islands are an important part of Spain, with two main cities, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, sharing the role of capital. The islands are also home to important astronomical observatories, such as the Teide Observatory and the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, where scientists study the stars and planets.

Etymology

The name Islas Canarias likely comes from the Latin Canariae Insulae, meaning 'Islands of the Dogs'. This may be because monk seals or sea dogs once lived there. An ancient name for one of the islands, Gran Canaria, also included this idea, and dogs are shown on the islands' coat-of-arms.

Another theory suggests the name comes from a Berber tribe called the Nukkari, known to Romans as Canarii. However, the islands' name does not come from the canary bird; instead, the birds were named after the islands. A place in London called Canary Wharf was named after a warehouse that received goods from the Canary Islands.

History

Ancient and pre-Hispanic times

Before humans arrived, the Canary Islands were home to interesting animals like large lizards, giant rats, and huge tortoises. The first people to live there, known as the Guanches, arrived around 2,000 to 3,000 years ago. They came from North Africa and lived mainly in caves near the coast. These early people created tools, made pottery, and painted pictures in caves.

Exploration

The islands might have been seen by sailors from places like Greece and Carthage long ago. A famous explorer named Juba II is said to have found the islands around the time of Julius Caesar. Later, sailors from Spain, Portugal, and other places visited the Canaries.

Castilian conquest

Main articles: Conquest of the Canary Islands, Kingdom of the Canary Islands, Crown of Castile, and Kingdom of Portugal

In 1402, Spanish explorers began taking control of the islands. This was hard for the Guanches, who fought back for many years. By 1496, all the islands were under Spanish rule.

After the conquest and the introduction of slavery

After the Spanish took over, they started growing sugarcane and later wine. To work on the farms, they used enslaved people from Africa. This brought great wealth to the islands, and new buildings were built. The islands also became a stop for traders and explorers heading to the New World.

18th to 19th century

The sugar industry later faced problems, but new crops like cochineal helped the islands' economy grow again. Many Canary Islanders moved to places like Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba during this time.

Romantic period and scientific expeditions

During the late 1700s and early 1800s, many scientists and explorers visited the islands to study its plants, animals, and mountains.

Early 20th century

In the early 1900s, bananas became an important crop on the islands.

Franco regime

Main article: Francoist Spain

During the time of Francisco Franco's rule, the Canary Islands were under strict control. After Franco died, there were movements calling for the islands to become independent.

Islands

The Canary Islands are a group of seven main islands in the Atlantic Ocean. From west to east, they are El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. There are also smaller islets and rocks around these islands, such as La Graciosa, Montaña Clara, and Alegranza.

Each island has its own unique features. For example, Tenerife is the largest and most populated island, while El Hierro is known for being a biosphere reserve. The islands vary in size, landscape, and population, making the Canary Islands an interesting place to learn about.

Geography

Tenerife is the largest and most populous island in the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria is the second most populous island and is known for its varied landscapes. Fuerteventura is the second largest island and lies close to the African coast.

The Canary Islands are part of a region called Macaronesia, along with the Azores, Cape Verde, Madeira, and the Savage Isles. All the islands are volcanic and have different climates. Some, like El Hierro, La Palma, and La Gomera, are wetter and well-vegetated. Others, like Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, are drier and more desert-like. Gran Canaria has many different landscapes, from beaches to mountains. The north of Tenerife is green, while the south is dry. The islands are home to unique plants, such as the Canary Island pine and the dragon tree.

Climate

The Canary Islands have a warm, subtropical to tropical climate that is usually dry. The sea helps keep the temperature comfortable, and trade winds help cool things down in the summer. Different parts of the islands have different microclimates. Most of the islands have a hot desert or hot semi-desert climate. However, the middle of La Gomera, Tenerife, and La Palma have a more humid climate with cloudy forests.

Geology

The Canary Islands were formed by a volcanic hotspot and most of the islands have been active in the last million years. The Teide volcano on Tenerife is the highest mountain in Spain and the third tallest volcano on Earth located on an ocean island. The islands have steep cliffs from past landslides. The most recent eruption happened on La Palma in 2021.

Natural symbols

The official natural symbols of the Canary Islands are the Atlantic canary bird and the Canary Island date palm.

National parks

The Canary Islands have four of Spain’s thirteen national parks, more than any other area. Two of these parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the other two are part of Biosphere Reserves. Teide National Park on Tenerife is the most visited national park in Spain and is home to the Teide volcano, the highest mountain in Spain.

Politics

The Canary Islands are governed by the Parliament of the Canary Islands, led by the President of the Canary Islands. The Parliament has 70 elected members, and the last election was in May 2023. The islands also have 14 seats in the Spanish Senate.

The Canary Islands are divided into two provinces: Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Each of the seven main islands has its own local government called a Cabildo Insular. These islands are further split into smaller areas called municipalities.

The Canary Islands have two capitals: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This arrangement began in 1982 with the creation of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. Historically, different cities served as centers of governance, but today both cities share this role.

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of the Canary Islands, Canary Islanders, and Spanish immigration to Cuba

The Canary Islands are home to about 2.2 million people, making them one of Spain's most populated areas. The islands cover 7,445.58 km² (2,874.75 sq mi), with a population density of 303.9 people per square kilometre.

The largest island, Tenerife, has the most people, followed by Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. Many people from Europe, especially Italy, Germany, and the UK, have made the Canary Islands their home. There are also communities from Venezuela and Cuba.

Main article: Religion in Canary Islands

Most people in the Canary Islands are Roman Catholic, a tradition that began during the islands' conquest over five centuries ago. The Virgin of Candelaria is a special symbol for the islands. Two important saints, Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur and José de Anchieta, were born on Tenerife and became missionaries in Guatemala and Brazil.

The islands have two Catholic dioceses: one for the eastern islands and one for the western islands. Besides Catholics, there are smaller groups of Muslims, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and followers of other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism.

Main article: Canarian people § Population genetics

The people of the Canary Islands have a mix of European and native Guanche ancestry. Studies show that modern Canary Islanders are mostly of European background, with some North African and a smaller amount of Sub-saharan ancestry. The Guanche people, the original inhabitants, contributed especially through their mothers to the genetic makeup of today's residents.

Economy and environment

See also: Tourism in the Canary Islands, List of companies based in the Canary Islands, and Island country § Natural resources

The Canary Islands' economy is mainly driven by tourism, which accounts for about 32% of the GDP. Each year, around 12 million visitors come to enjoy the islands' beautiful beaches and natural attractions. Another important part of the economy is construction, making up nearly 20% of the GDP. The islands also grow tropical crops like bananas and tobacco for export.

The islands face challenges with water resources and the environment, as some areas are dry and water is used heavily by tourists. Efforts are being made to protect the environment and manage water use better. The islands are also exploring ways to use more renewable energy and have great potential for this. The Canary Islands are a popular destination, especially for visitors from Britain, Spain, and Germany, with Teide National Park being a top attraction.

Transport

The Canary Islands have eight airports, two major ports, and many highways that help people travel around. Large ferry boats and fast ferries connect the islands, carrying passengers, cargo, and vehicles. Fast ferries are quicker than regular ferries, making trips shorter.

The biggest airport is Gran Canaria Airport. Tenerife has two airports, Tenerife North Airport and Tenerife South Airport, which handle the most passengers. The port of Las Palmas is important for freight, and the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the main fishing port. The Tenerife Tram opened in 2007 and is the only tram in the islands, running between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

Airports

• Tenerife South Airport – Tenerife
• Tenerife North Airport – Tenerife
• César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport – Lanzarote
• Fuerteventura Airport – Fuerteventura
• Gran Canaria Airport – Gran Canaria
• La Palma Airport – La Palma
• La Gomera Airport – La Gomera
• El Hierro Airport – El Hierro

Ports

• Port of Puerto del Rosario – Fuerteventura
• Port of Arrecife – Lanzarote
• Port of Playa Blanca—Lanzarote
• Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma – La Palma
• Port of San Sebastián de La Gomera – La Gomera
• Port of La Estaca – El Hierro
• Port of Las Palmas – Gran Canaria
• Port of Arinaga – Gran Canaria
• Port of Agaete – Gran Canaria
• Port of Los Cristianos – Tenerife
• Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Tenerife
• Port of Garachico – Tenerife
• Port of Granadilla – Tenerife

Health

See also: List of hospitals in Spain § Canary Islands

The Servicio Canario de Salud manages healthcare in the Canary Islands. There are many hospitals across the islands, including:

• Hospital Nuestra Señora de los Reyes – El Hierro
• Hospital General de La Palma – La Palma
• Hospital Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe – La Gomera
• Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria – Tenerife
• Hospital Universitario de Canarias – Tenerife
• Hospital del Sur de Tenerife – Tenerife
• Hospital del Norte de Tenerife – Tenerife
• Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín – Gran Canaria
• Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria – Gran Canaria
• Hospital General de Lanzarote Doctor José Molina Orosa – Lanzarote
• Hospital General de Fuerteventura – Fuerteventura

Wildlife

See also: List of birds of the Canary Islands, List of reptiles of the Canary Islands, List of Lepidoptera of the Canary Islands, and List of non-marine molluscs of the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are home to many interesting birds, both from Europe and Africa. Some notable birds include the black-bellied sandgrouse, canary, Gran Canaria blue chaffinch, and Tenerife blue chaffinch. There are also unique lizards, such as the El Hierro giant lizard and La Gomera giant lizard, as well as bats and small mammals like the Canarian shrew.

The waters around the Canary Islands host a rich variety of marine life, including many species of fish such as shark, moray eel, and grouper. You can also find many invertebrates like sponge, jellyfish, and coral. Five species of marine turtles, including the loggerhead sea turtle, are sometimes seen in the islands. The islands also have a diverse range of native plants, such as Arbutus canariensis, Euphorbia canariensis, and Phoenix canariensis.

Main article: Marine life of the Canary Islands

Holidays

The Canary Islands celebrate many holidays, some shared across Spain and others unique to the islands. One important day is Canary Islands Day on May 30th, marking the anniversary of the first meeting of the Parliament of the Canary Islands in 1983.

The most famous festival is the carnival, held on all the islands between February and March. The biggest carnivals are in the capitals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, but each island has its own special traditions, like the Festival of the Carneros on El Hierro and the Carnival of San Sebastián de La Gomera.

Science and technology

In the 1960s, Gran Canaria was chosen as a spot for one of the 14 ground stations in the Manned Space Flight Network to help NASA with its space program. The Maspalomas Station on the southern part of the island helped with important missions, like the Apollo 11 Moon landings and Skylab. Today, it still helps with satellite communications for the ESA.

Because the Canary Islands are far away from many lights, they are a great place for astronomical observatories. Some of these are the Teide Observatory on Tenerife, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, and the Temisas Astronomical Observatory on Gran Canaria. Tenerife is also home to the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, which studies stars and space.

Sports

The Canary Islands have some interesting traditional sports. One is Canarian wrestling, where two people try to throw each other to the ground using strength and quick moves. Another is the "game of the sticks," where players use long sticks to defend against an opponent, similar to fencing. There is also shepherd's jump, where someone uses a long stick to jump over an open space.

The islands are home to two famous football teams: CD Tenerife and UD Las Palmas. Many athletes from the Canary Islands have achieved success in sports around the world.