“Canarias” is the Spanish name for an archipelago composed by seven islands, most known as the “The fortunate islands” ( El hierro, La Gomera, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote). These islands originally volcanic are located on the northwest of ?frica, opposite Morocco and it has a subtropical climate for its proximity to this country. There is one hour of difference between Spain and the Canary Islands ( one hour less).

Curiosities

Fuerteventura

Baywatch

The beach of Jand?a was one of the locations chosen by the “Baywatch” production team to film some of the sequences.

Miguel de Unamuno

Miguel de Unamuno was a famous Spanish writer and philosopher from 1886. In 1924 he was exiled to Fuerteventura by Primo de Rivera, Spanish dictator in those days, due to his political belief.

This important figure fell in love with this island despite the desert environment. He could not stop writing about Fuerteventura, the palm trees, the camels, the sea, the inhabitants. He stayed here for a few months though until he was released by Primo de Rivera the 21st of July 1924, that’s when he decided not to go back to Spain and travelled to France.

Windsurf

Every year takes place one of the most important world windsurfing & kite boarding championship, since 1986, “Fuerteventura World Cup”.

Lanzarote

Volcanic Legend

Between 1730 and 1736 a series of volcanic eruptions with a length of 8 Km long were formed. They destroyed 9 villages and buried another 13 under the ashes.” Rain of burning sand” dropped all across Lanzarote Island. The submarine explosion in “Janubio” created the current “Janubio lagoon”.

The volcanic explosions were heard from hundreds of kilometres distance and since then they called them “The fire Mountains”.

It is stated that in 1972, during the Apollo 17 mission, some photographs of Lanzarote were shown to the astronauts to indicate them the possible aspect of the moon.

A lot of famous movies with an international success have been filmed in Lanzarote:

Moby Dick – 1956

One million years BC – 1966

When dinosaurs ruled the Earth – 1972

Journey to the centre of the earth – 1976

Doctor Who – 1984

Enemy mine – 1986

The Search for Treasure Island – 1997

Marar?a – 1998

Los Abrazos Rotos with Penelope Cruz- 2008

Tenerife

In February 1927, Agatha Christie (famous mystery novel writer) arrives to Tenerife. “The mystery lady” sheltered herself in Tenerife with her precious daughter Rosalind to try to overcome a deep depression caused by her divorce and financial problems.

She brought with her the unfinished novel “The mystery of the blue train”. Once in the island a miracle occurred: Her sorrow disappeared and she managed to finish this novel and even wrote two more novels: “The mysterious Mr Quinn” and “Mrs Marple and the thirteen problems”.

La Gomera

The language of the “Whistle” used by some inhabitants in “Gomera”, was stated as “Human cultural heritage”. It is a living language only used by a few human communities around the world.

This language is used to communicate through ravines. It was originated by the first canary inhabitants, the natives “Guanches”.

This language was in danger of disappearing, therefore the Government decided that the schools should give lessons of “Silbo” (whistle) in this island.

This language is composed by six sounds: two of them are considered as vowels and the rest as consonants and you can express more than 4000 words.

Hierro

This island was the last one to develop in the canary archipelago, and it is 3 million years old, it’s also the smallest one and with the highest volcanic denseness. It is considered a biosphere reserve by the Unesco.

Here the scuba diving fans come every year from different parts of the world to enjoy one of the most beautiful sea beds on earth. You have different diving areas for every level all over the island. The lack of human presence and deep waters make this island perfect for this purpose.

Gran Canaria

In this island you will find a variety of microclimates. This is one of its main attractions. In the same day you may find lovely and warm weather on the coast and a little bit cooler up on the mountains.

According to a research made by Thomas Whitmore, Manager of climates investigation from the university of Syracusa in New York, published by “Consumer Travel Publications” in 1996 with the title “Index of the nicest climates”, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the city with the best climate in the world. This Research analyzes 600 cities of the world, chosen for its popularity as a holiday destination, based on different variables related to the climate throughout the year.

The microclimate on the south of the island has a very nice and refreshing breeze during the summer, due to its “Alisio winds”, and in winter is affected by the Atlantic cyclone, which provides of a nice and spring-like temperature. The area of Arguinegu?n and Mog?n is known for having the most healthy climates in the world, ideal for people suffering from breathing problems, rheumatism, asthma, allergic, etc.

La Palma

This island known as “La isla bonita” (Pretty island) is of a colourful green due to its vegetation denseness and has one of the best skies for astronomical observation.

You can actually enjoy a holiday based on astronomical events, ” astronomical tourism”.

The observatory ” Roque de los muchachos ” in la Palma is one of the best equipped in the world. Its location, among the clouds, lack of pollution and clear views, makes it ideal for astronomical investigation.

Places to visit

In Lanzarote island- Timanfaya Volcano, Cesar Manrique’s legacy( important canary artist).

In Fuerteventura island- Sotavento beach, Cofete beach, Ajuy’s Caves, Wolves island.

In Tenerife island- National park of ” el Teide”( volcano ), G?imar Pyramids, Village ” La Orotava”.

In Gran Canaria Island- Nature reserve Azuaje.

El Hierro – Scuba diving

La Palma – Astronomical observatory ” Roque del Muchacho”,trekking.

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