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 and have seven main islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. These islands are known for their warm weather, beautiful beaches, and special natural places.

The Canary Islands are very popular with visitors from all over the world. Many people come to enjoy the sunny weather, pretty shores, and famous places like Maspalomas and Mount Teide. Mount Teide is on Tenerife and is the highest peak in Spain. It is a place where scientists study the stars because the skies are very clear.

These islands have an interesting history. They were once a stopping point for ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Today, the Canary Islands are a favorite place for tourists and a home to many people. Cities like Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife are important for the islands' culture and everyday life.

Etymology

The name Islas Canarias likely comes from the Latin name Canariae Insulae, meaning 'Islands of the Dogs'. This might be because monk seals or sea dogs were common there.

Some think the name relates to a Berber tribe called Canarii. The islands did not get their name from the canary bird; instead, the birds were named after the islands.

History

Ancient and pre-Hispanic times

Before humans arrived, the Canary Islands were home to large prehistoric animals, including giant lizards, big rats, and huge tortoises.

The islands were first settled by people at least 2,000 years ago, possibly even earlier. These early settlers shared a common origin with people living along the nearby North African coast. They reached the islands using small boats and settled mainly along the coasts, living in natural caves. They created tools, made pottery, and painted pictures in caves. Their society had a system where leadership passed through families, and they believed in spirits connected to nature.

Exploration

The islands might have been seen by sailors from places like Mallorca, Portugal, and Genoa. One explorer named Lancelotto Malocello settled on one of the islands in 1312.

Castilian conquest

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

In 1402, explorers from Castile began taking control of the islands. This took over a hundred years because the people living there resisted. The islands were finally fully under Castilian control by 1496.

After the conquest and the introduction of slavery

After the islands were taken over, new crops like sugarcane were grown. This needed many workers, so people were brought from Africa to work on farms. The islands became important stops for traders traveling to the New World.

18th to 19th century

The economy based on sugarcane struggled when prices dropped. New crops like cochineal were introduced. Many people from the Canary Islands 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 landscapes. These included famous figures such as Alexander von Humboldt.

Early 20th century

In the early 1900s, bananas became an important crop. The islands were divided into two provinces in 1927, with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife as their capitals.

Franco regime

Main article: Francoist Spain

During the time of Francisco Franco, the islands were under strict control. After Franco's death, movements for independence appeared, though they were not widely supported.

Islands

The Canary Islands are a group of seven main islands in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the northwest coast of Africa. From west to east, they are El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. There are also several smaller islets around these islands.

El Hierro is the smallest and westernmost of the main islands. Tenerife is the largest and most populated island, home to the highest peak in Spain, Teide. Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura are also popular places to visit. Each island has its own special landscape and things to see.

Geography

Tenerife is the largest and most crowded island in the Canary Islands group. Gran Canaria is the second most crowded, with many people living there. Fuerteventura is the second largest island and lies close to the coast of Africa.

The Canary Islands are part of a group called Macaronesia, along with places like the Azores, Cape Verde, Madeira, and the Savage Isles. All the islands in this group are formed from volcanoes. The weather on the islands can change depending on where they are placed compared to the wind. Some islands are rainy and green, while others are dry and desert-like. Each island has its own special climate and plants, including some that grow only here, like the Canary Island pine and the dragon tree.

Main article: Geology of the Canary Islands

Main article: List of animal and plant symbols of the Canary Islands

Four of Spain's national parks are found in the Canary Islands, more than anywhere else in the country. Teide National Park on Tenerife is the most famous, featuring the Teide volcano, the highest mountain in Spain.

Politics

The Canary Islands are a special part of Spain. They have their own government and laws. The main leader is called the President. They guide the islands with help from elected members called the Parliament.

The islands are divided into two main areas, called provinces. Each province has its own main city to help manage the islands and their communities. Most people feel they are both Spanish and Canarian. Spain’s armed forces help keep the islands safe.

Demographics

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

The Canary Islands are a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean that belong to Spain. As of 2024, about 2.2 million people live there. The islands cover an area of 7,445.58 km². This makes the population density about 304 people per square kilometre.

The largest island is Tenerife with almost 960,000 people. Next is Gran Canaria with about 870,000 people. Other islands include Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. Many people from Italy, Germany, and the UK live on the islands. The islands also have residents from Venezuela and Cuba because of past movements of people. In recent years, many people have come to live there from nearby countries like Senegal, Mali, and Morocco.

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 depends a lot on tourism, which brings many visitors each year. Building things also helps the economy. The islands grow crops like bananas and tobacco to sell.

The islands are careful with their natural resources, especially water, because so many visitors come each year. Some islands use a lot of water from underground. People are finding ways to use water better and get more water, but this can be tricky. The islands also charge small taxes to visitors to help protect nature and the environment.

Transport

The Canary Islands have eight airports, two big ports, and many roads to help people travel. Sometimes, there is too much traffic on Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Large ferry boats and fast ferries connect the islands. They can carry many people, goods, and cars. Fast ferries are quicker. For example, a trip between La Palma and Tenerife can take about two and a half hours on a fast ferry, but more than eight hours on a regular ferry.

The biggest airport is Gran Canaria Airport. Tenerife has two airports: Tenerife North Airport and Tenerife South Airport. These two islands get the most visitors. The port of Las Palmas moves the most goods, and the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is important for fishing.

The Tenerife Tram started running in 2007, connecting Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna. More railway lines are being planned.

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

The Canary Islands have a health service called the Servicio Canario de Salud. It helps keep everyone healthy. There are many hospitals across the islands. Some of these hospitals are Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and Hospital Universitario de Canarias in Tenerife. There are also hospitals in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro.

You can find more information about hospitals in Spain in the List of hospitals in Spain § Canary Islands.

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 have many interesting birds. Some of these birds are the black-bellied sandgrouse, canary, red-billed chough, Gran Canaria blue chaffinch, Tenerife blue chaffinch, Canary Islands chaffinch, Canary Islands chiffchaff, Fuerteventura chat, Tenerife goldcrest, Canarian Egyptian vulture, Bolle's pigeon, laurel pigeon, plain swift, and houbara bustard.

Land animals include the El Hierro giant lizard, La Gomera giant lizard, and smaller creatures like the Canarian shrew and Canary big-eared bat. The islands also have marine life with many fish such as shark, moray eel, and grouper, along with invertebrates like sponge and coral. Five kinds of marine turtle can sometimes be seen around the islands.

Holidays

The Canary Islands have many special days to celebrate. One important day is Canary Islands Day on May 30th. It marks the anniversary of the first meeting of the Parliament of the Canary Islands in 1983.

The most famous celebration is the carnival. It happens on the streets from February to March. Big carnivals take place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. But every island has its own fun festivals. For example, El Hierro has the Festival of the Carneros, Teguise in Lanzarote has the Festival of the Diabletes, La Palma has Los Indianos, La Gomera has the Carnival of San Sebastián, and Fuerteventura has the Carnival of Puerto del Rosario.

Science and technology

In the 1960s, Gran Canaria was picked to be a place for one of the 14 ground stations. These stations helped the NASA space program. The Maspalomas Station helped important missions, like the Apollo 11 Moon landings and Skylab. Today, it still helps with talking to satellites.

The Canary Islands are far from many lights, so they are a good 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, where scientists study stars and space.

Sports

The Canary Islands have many interesting sports. One is Canarian wrestling, where two people try to throw each other to the ground using strength. Another fun sport is the "game of the sticks," where players use long sticks to defend against each other. This game started with shepherds using their walking sticks.

The islands have two main football teams: CD Tenerife and UD Las Palmas. People there enjoy watching them play, especially when they face each other in the Canary Islands derby. The islands’ hilly landscape is great for long-distance running events, such as the CajaMar Tenerife Bluetrail on Tenerife and Transvulcania on La Palma.

Some famous athletes from the Canary Islands include Nicolás García Hemme, who won a silver medal in taekwondo, and David Silva, who played for the Spain national football team. Other notable athletes include footballers Sergio Rodríguez, Juan Carlos Valerón, Pedro, Jesé, Pedri, and Nico Paz, as well as tennis player Carla Suárez Navarro and synchronized swimmer Paola Tirados.