2. Nature, Canary Islands, Spain
Ever since the 18th century, the Canary Islands and
their fantastically diverse landscapes have attracted
the attention of geographers and scholars from all
over the world. Today, the islands continue to attract
hundreds of thousands of nature lovers each year.
It's impossible to talk about a typical "Canary Island
landscape". All the islands are vastly different from each
other and within each individual island there is a wide
variety of landscape; from the beautiful volcanic
desolation of Timanfaya in Lanzarote to the snows ofTeide
in Tenerife, the green jungle of La Gomera's Garajonay, or
the traditional charm of the Caldera de Taburiente in La
Palma.
3. The Canaries are also home to some unique species of
flora and fauna; the likes of which you won't find
anywhere else on the planet.
The Canaries are widely recognised, the world over, as
having an incredible wealth of ecologically valuable
areas; and all these treasures have been carefully
preserved
4. You'll find them in both the populated areas like
Gran Canaria and Tenerife as well as the more remote
islands of El Hierro and La Palma.
The natural beauty of these islands is protected by the
"The Canary Islands Natural Spaces Act" which came
into effect in 1994. Large percentages of the island's
territory are protected by the act. It has strict
guidelines on which natural assets and features are to
be conserved.
5. Canary Islands, Spain
There are seven islands in total: Gran Canaria,
Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Palma,
Gomer and Hierro along with a few very small
ones: Alegranza, Graciosa, Montaña Clara, Roque
del Este, Roque del Oeste and Lobos.
Although located within a very short distance of each
other, all the islands are radically different in terms of
landscape and culture.
6. There's Volcanoes, lush green rain forests, sand
dunes, white sandy beaches, black volcanic beaches,
tourist resorts, natural parks, nightlife, tradition and
art that's all very very different depending on which
Island you are on.
The Canary Islands also known as the "island of Dogs"
are named after the large dogs (Canes) that were
initially found living on the islands.
7. The Greeks and Romans called them the "Happy
Islands" and the "Garden of Hesperides, Atlantida".
Some historians believe that the islands" original
population (Guanches) are from the legendary
continent of Atlantis. Curiously, they are tall with
white skin...
The Canary Islands became part of the Spanish
kingdom in 1496. Christopher Columbus stopped here
on his way to discover the "new world".
9. The islands belong to Spain although they are not
part of the European Union. They avoid all European
customs charges and have some of the best beaches in
Europe.
Welcome to the Canaries!