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 are made up of seven main islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. These beautiful islands are known for their warm climate, stunning beaches, and unique natural landscapes.

The Canary Islands are very popular with visitors from around the world. In 2023, over 14 million people came to enjoy the sunny weather, beautiful shores, and famous sites like Maspalomas and Mount Teide. Mount Teide, located on Tenerife, is the highest peak in Spain and a place where scientists study the stars thanks to its clear skies.

These islands have a rich history, once serving as a stopping point for ships traveling across the Atlantic Ocean during times of sailing. Today, the Canary Islands continue to thrive as a beloved destination for tourists and a home to many people, with cities like Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife playing important roles in the island's culture and 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. An old name for one of the islands, Canaria, possibly refers to these animals.

Some think the name relates to a Berber tribe called Canarii. However, 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 strongly. 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 enslaved 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. It was once thought to be the westernmost point of the known world. 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 unique landscape and attractions.

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 area of Spain, with its own government and laws. The main leader is called the President, and they guide the group of islands through a group of elected members called the Parliament.

The islands are split into two main areas, called provinces, each with its own main city. These cities help manage the islands and their communities. Even though there are different ideas about how the islands should be run, most people feel they are both Spanish and Canarian. The safety of the islands is looked after by Spain’s armed forces.

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 are spread over an area of 7,445.58 km², making the population density about 304 people per square kilometre.

The largest island is Tenerife with almost 960,000 people, followed by Gran Canaria with about 870,000. Other islands include Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. Many people from Italy, Germany, and the UK have made their home in the Canary Islands. The islands also have residents from Venezuela and Cuba due to historical migration patterns. In recent years, many people seeking a new home have arrived 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 is about 32% of its money made. Each year, around 12 million people visit these islands. Building things also helps the economy, making up about 20% of its money. The islands grow crops like bananas and tobacco to sell to other places.

The islands are worried about using too many natural resources, especially water, because so many visitors come each year. Some islands, like Gran Canaria and Tenerife, use too much water from underground. To fix this, people are thinking of ways to use water better and get more water from other places, but this is hard to do. The islands also get money by charging visitors small taxes to help protect nature and the environment.

Transport

The Canary Islands have eight airports, two major ports, and many highways and 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 passengers, goods, and cars. Fast ferries are quicker than regular ferries. 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 special health service called the Servicio Canario de Salud, which helps keep everyone healthy. There are many hospitals across the islands, including places like Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and Hospital Universitario de Canarias in Tenerife, and others 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 are home to many interesting birds, including 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, marking the anniversary of the first meeting of the Parliament of the Canary Islands in 1983.

The most famous celebration is the carnival, which takes place on the streets from February to March. Big carnivals happen 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 chosen as a spot for one of the 14 ground stations that helped support the NASA space program. The Maspalomas Station was part of important missions, like the Apollo 11 Moon landings and Skylab. Today, it still helps with satellite communications.

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 many interesting sports. One is Canarian wrestling, where two people stand in a special area and try to throw each other to the ground using strength and quick moves. Another fun sport is the "game of the sticks," where players use long sticks to defend against each other, a game that started with shepherds using their walking sticks.

The islands also 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 at the 2012 London Olympics, and David Silva, who played for the Spain national football team and helped them win the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 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.