Regions of Spain: Canary Islands. Where are the famous Canary Islands? Which islands are included in the Canary Islands?

Last July we spent 2 weeks in Fuerteventura. A fabulous island - the purest beaches for every taste: gently sloping with soft sand, rocky with underwater rocks, deserted for many kilometers on Khantia (Kofeta beach) (it is assumed that during the Second World War there was a German submarine base there (Villa Winter). The landscape is lunar with hardened lava, the roads are impeccable, although when crossing the ridge to the other side of the island they are steep and dangerous (while we were in a group of young animals in a jeep, they slid into the abyss, but, thank God, they stayed on the slope).

There is practically no public transport; it is better to rent a car directly at the airport. We took a Jeep Wrangler with a convertible top - a little expensive, but we didn’t regret it. On sand, on rocks, on water - no problem. The island is practically unaware of the existence of the Russian language, but understands English perfectly, the people are very friendly. We left our backpacks in an open car for the whole day without any problems. A paradise for surfers, lovers of leisure and photographers, but partygoers have nothing to do there.

An apartment for two with a kitchen cost us 35 euros per day. We cooked it ourselves, since we follow a dietary diet, but we couldn’t refuse oysters and mussels at a local restaurant, and even with cream sauce. On the beaches, unscrupulous chipmunks steal cookies from packages and are not at all afraid of people.

Getting there is very easy - Renair flies from Barcelona, ​​the airport is small, the runway runs parallel to the water. Nearby is the island of Lobos - uninhabited, but very attractive, although some hippies live there, apparently not too officially :) In small lagoons, the water warms up to 35 degrees, you lie as if in a bath, and even a small fish gives you a pedicure (completely free !).

There are signs to all the craters and beauties - the photos look amazing! Unfortunately, the abandoned American airliner has already been dragged away, leaving only photos on the wall of a local shop. I liked the village of Betancuria, located in the crater of a volcano - until you climb the serpentine road to the top, you don’t understand where exactly it is located. Lots of old buildings, very tasty ice cream in a German cafe near the center.

The island of Lanzarote is also worth a visit - a show with a geyser from an active volcano - that's something! Again, you can hardly boast that every day you eat steak fried right on the crater of a volcano, without any tricks. Shoes with cork soles are recommended (a local product, very comfortable and durable, I’ve been wearing it for a year now), since the ground is literally burning under your feet - it’s hot! You can get to the islands from the port of Morro Jable by ferries - not long, comfortable and strictly on schedule, and along the way you will be accompanied by flying silver fish! Don’t be fooled by fishing or dolphins - there are practically none of them there, once there were seals, but they were all caught in the last century, just like the trees, which were ALL cut down for sale. Fuerteventura is a paradise for naturists, especially the beaches of Hantia - there will be practically no one nearby, the most “civilized” and beautiful is Corralejo beach, but clothes are optional there, there is the least wind and there is fine sand.

But on Kofeta there are always strong waves and wind. Yes, the vineyards in Lanzarote were amazing - each vine grows right in the lava in its own depression. There is also a distillery there. True, I didn’t like the wine - it was very sweet, more like a liqueur, but I was impressed by the hard work of the local residents. The beaches are all state-owned, and therefore free; many have a blue “beach” quality sign. But even “wild” beaches are cleaned every morning, as are the roads. We were stunned when at 4 am we saw a vacuum cleaner car cleaning up the mountain serpentine roads:) Herds of goats roam along the roads, I suspect that they were someone else’s, but they walk like wild ones, they come up, you can feed them some bread. There are no flies and other nasty insects, no snakes, even sharks and those people don’t eat people - they understand that without tourists the island will be pretty bad :) There are no reefs either, so diving is not particularly interesting. There are real dunes, like in the “White Sun of the Desert” - opposite the Sahara, and from there the wind brings the purest white sand, you can ride on the dunes like downhill, the sand does not even stick to your palms and does not leave traces of dust on your clothes. And a photo in the dunes at sunset, when the huge scarlet sun sinks below the horizon - that's something! We travel a lot, we always plan ourselves, we’ve seen a lot of things, but Fuertoventura somehow caught our attention, we plan to return...

Canary Islands in Spain, located 100 kilometers from the northwestern coast of the African continent (Morocco), include 7 large islands and six small ones. The origin of the archipelago is volcanic.

The Canaries are an autonomous entity within Spain. They are administratively divided into two provinces with their own capitals, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which alternate in this role every 4 years.

The unique geographical location of the Canary Islands, where the sultry air of the African Sahara is softened by the oceanic environment, creates a humid tropical climate with annual temperature fluctuations of 10-30 C, allowing you to enjoy the warm ocean and sun all year round. The length of the beach strip on all the islands is about one and a half thousand kilometers, and all beaches are publicly accessible and free. The climate differs significantly depending on the location of each island: the driest and hottest are the southern islands of the Canary archipelago, the wetter ones with lush tropical vegetation are located to the north.

The first mentions of the Canary Islands date back to antiquity. The indigenous population is tribes of white-skinned people - Guanches. Although the Canaries were first declared Spanish territory in 1404, the final conquest took place at the end of the century, as a result of war.

Holidays in Spain are often associated with the Canary Islands, of which the five largest and most exotic are of greatest tourist interest.

1. Tenerife Island

Tenerife is the central and largest island of the Canary archipelago, part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Its population is close to 900 thousand.

The main feature of Tenerife is a very even, comfortable climate with minimal daily and seasonal temperature changes (no more than 5 degrees). This, combined with the cleanest warm (20 degrees) ocean water and an abundance of beautiful sandy beaches, attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world, allowing you to swim all year round. 8 beaches of the island are marked with the Blue Flag as the cleanest. The main entertainment there is diving and surfing.

Rising above the island of Tenerife is Teide, a snow-capped dormant volcano located in the national park of the same name with a unique volcanic landscape. This is the highest point in Spain, recognized as the main natural attraction of the island. The name Tenerife (White) was given to the island by the Spanish conquistadors, possibly referring to the white peak of Teide.

The main natural attractions of Tenerife:

• The “lunar landscape” in the eastern part is an amazing landscape formed by the movement of lava.

• Tropical oasis - Eagle Park in the south.
• Loro Parque is a complex that includes a zoo, an aquarium and a botanical garden.
• Jungle Park in Las Aguilas.

The indigenous people also left their legacy - six step pyramids skillfully built from stone in the city of Guimar.

Culturally interesting in Tenerife are:

• the cities of Orotava and San Cristobal de la Laguna, rich in antiquities, founded by the Guanche people - the historical and cultural heritage of Spain;
• the ancient Canarian village of Masca;

• Opera Auditorio de Tenerife;

• an annual carnival, not inferior to the brightness of the Brazilian one.

2. Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the second most visited and third largest Canary island, located in the center of the archipelago. Its population is slightly smaller than Tenerife. Its shape resembles a mountain with a 50-kilometer circle at the base. From the centrally located Pico de Las Nieves (2000 m), an extinct volcano, gorges descend to the ocean, forming rugged terrain with rich vegetation and fauna.

The mountain range divides the island into two parts: the northern – cooler, and the southern – dry and warm. The climate is comfortable all year round: the temperature does not drop below +19 C, in summer it does not exceed +30 C, the water rarely cools down to +17 C, which allows you to relax here in any season. Mostly beaches (over 50) are located in the southern part of the island. The most famous beaches in Gran Canaria are Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and San Agustin.

The usual purpose of visiting Gran Canaria is to relax on the beautiful beaches and swim in the warm ocean. Holidays here are more relaxing than in Tenerife. There are also many interesting places.

What to see on the island of Gran Canaria

Las Palmas is the largest city in Gran Canaria, the second capital of the archipelago. The 500-year history of the city has left many attractions in it: the Columbus Museum, the Cathedral, St. Anne's Square, the bishop's house, the Museum of the Canary Islands.

Also of historical interest are the ancient city of Telde, the high mountain village of Artenare, and the Painted Cave in Galdar.

While relaxing on this Canary island, you can visit interesting excursions to natural national parks:

• Nublo is in the center of the island.

• Sand dunes of Maspalomas.

• Tamadaba Nature Reserve on the slopes of Aden Verde.
• Exotic Park Palmitos.

As well as unique theme parks: cacti, crocodiles, Botanical Garden, exotic Palmitos Park.

3. Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is the island of the archipelago closest to the African continent. It has the second largest area and the lowest population density (about 75 thousand people). This is the oldest Canary island, it appeared as a result of volcanic activity about 20 million years ago.

The name of the island was based on the strong winds that constantly blow across the crescent-shaped area of ​​land. A comfortable climate in all seasons, with interseasonal temperature fluctuations of 17 - 27 C, allows you to relax in this corner of Spain all year round. Previously, it was covered with forests, which Spanish shipbuilders gradually cut down.

In the pre-colonial period, the territory was inhabited by the Mahorer tribe. In the 15th century it began to belong to Spain.

The central part of Fuerteventura is almost uninhabited. It is surrounded by more than 150 of the most beautiful beaches in the Atlantic, stretching over 300 km. Most of the beaches are covered with pure white sand, some with volcanic black sand. The tourist infrastructure is not very developed. Holidays here are preferred by lovers of solitude and surfing, which is favored by the constant wind.

Sights of the island of Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is part of the province of Las Palmas, its capital is Puerto del Rosario. Tourists here will be interested in such attractions as the Alcohida Eco-Museum, the Museum of the writer Miguel de Unvmuno, the Juan Ismael Art Center, and an open-air sculpture park. Rich in historical and architectural monuments, Betancuria is a city with more than 600 years of history.

Of the natural attractions of the island, the following are especially interesting: the Lobos Nature Reserve; dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park; geological massif of Montaña de Tindaya.

4. Lanzarote Island

Lanzarote ranks fourth in area among the other Canary Islands. Located in the northeastern part of the archipelago, 150 km from the African coast. Its population exceeds 140 thousand people. The island is named after the Genoese navigator Lanzerotto Malocello, who visited it and charted it in 1312. The indigenous population before the Spanish conquest was the Makhos tribe, which had Berber roots.

Due to ongoing volcanic activity and a “lunar landscape” with more than 300 craters of varying sizes, beautiful Lanzarote is also called “fire” or “island of fire-breathing mountains”. A third of its territory is covered with volcanic lava, basalt and ash, and is completely devoid of life. This explains the peculiarity of local agriculture - vineyards grown in large stone-framed depressions.

By decision of UNESCO, Lanzarote was declared a biosphere reserve, where multi-storey construction that does not correspond to the established traditional style is prohibited.

The climate of Lanzarote is even, colder than on other islands of the archipelago: the average January temperature is +13.9 C, summer - +26 C. Precipitation is rare.

Arrecife is the capital of the island, commercial, administrative center and port. The historical center is the city of Teguise, founded by the Normans.

Excursions in Lanzarote

You can appreciate the beauty of the frozen volcanoes on the island by visiting: Timanfaya National Park; El Golfo National Reserve - a unique lake with a black sand beach in the crater of a volcano; Cave de los Verdes formed by lava.

Among the attractions of Lanzarote, it is worth seeing: the Castillo de San Jose castle, built in the 18th century for its protection; the 16th-century Castillo de San Gabriel castle located on a small island; Bodega Wine Museum and Landowner Museum.

5. La Gomera Island

A very small Canary Island southwest of Tenerife (its area is 5 times smaller than its neighbor). The population of La Gomera is about 20 thousand people. The tourism infrastructure is not very developed, but this is not a priority area of ​​development. The main thing on La Gomera is the rich, unique vegetation that has preserved many pre-glacial relict species. This feature is explained by the complex multi-stage relief and long-term (about 2 million years) cessation of volcanic activity. High mountains and deep gorges, protecting the island from the winds, retain moisture and create a greenhouse effect. The constant light fog favors the lush growth of tropical vegetation: more than 450 species grow here. The air temperature all year round is between 21-28 C, water 18-23 C. The southern part of La Gomera is windier and drier.

The etymology of the name is associated with the tribe of African origin Ghomarat, which inhabited it before the conquest by Spain. An unusual feature of the island is the Silbo whistling language, which allows communication over long distances separating hard-to-reach gorges.

Sights of the island of La Gomera

The capital is San Sebastian de La Gomera. In this ancient city on the ocean, there is the Count's Tower, built by the Spaniards in the 15th century, and the Iglesia de Asuncion Church. The island is associated with the name of Christopher Klumb, who visited it several times, as evidenced by the Columbus House Museum and the well from which he took water for his voyage.

The main attraction of the island is Garajonay, a national park with UNESCO World Heritage status. Occupying a tenth of the island, the forest represents the relict vegetation of the pre-glacial Mediterranean, inhabited by a rich endemic fauna.

In the southwest is the Valle Gran Rey valley, whose green terraces and picturesque gorges can be observed from the Palmarejo viewpoint.

On the northern shore, Los Organos is impressive - a natural resemblance to an organ with 80-meter basalt columns.

The beaches of La Gomera are small, with black volcanic sand or pebbles. This is a very beautiful island, and your holiday here will undoubtedly be unforgettable!

The Canary Islands are a unique paradise in the Atlantic. In any season, it guarantees a comfortable, varied and educational holiday surrounded by incredible and varied landscapes.

In the category "Best Resort on the Atlantic Coast of Europe" for 2007-2009.

The Canary Islands (Islas Canarias, area 7,500 sq. km) are an autonomous region of Spain, located in the Atlantic Ocean 1,500 km from the Iberian Peninsula and 100 km from the coast of Africa. Geologically, the islands are of volcanic origin and belong to relatively young formations of the oceanic platform, as well as the nearby Azores, Cape Verde and Madeira Islands (this scattering of islands in the eastern part of the Atlantic is often classified as a special natural zone, conventionally called Macronesia). The archipelago consists of seven large inhabited islands and several small ones, administratively divided into two provinces - Santa Cruz de Tenerife (the islands of Tenerife, Gomera, La Palma and Hierro) and Las Palmas (the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) .

The climate of the Canary Islands is tropical trade wind, moderately hot and dry. Its characteristic feature is the small temperature difference throughout the year - in summer there is about +21°C, in winter - not lower than +17°C, and the water temperature almost never drops below +20°C. The reason for such an even climate is the unique location of the islands - lying in the hot tropical zone off the very coast of desert Africa, they experience the beneficial effects of the western ocean trade winds all year round, and the water off the coast is cooled (and saturated with oxygen!) by the cold Canary Current. As a result, all local differences are determined only by the topography of a particular island. The warm and mild climate, fertile volcanic soils and long-term isolation from the mainland have formed an amazing natural complex here with unique flora and fauna (almost a quarter of the species living here are not found anywhere else on Earth), diverse landscapes and rich marine life.

The islands were inhabited by humans around the 3rd millennium BC. Greek and Roman sources linked this land to the mythical Atlantis, but they themselves knew about them only by rumor, since the entire territory beyond the Pillars of Hercules, as the Strait of Gibraltar was then called, was controlled by the Sea Peoples, primarily the ubiquitous Phoenicians. The indigenous Guanche tribes that inhabited the islands, practically exterminated immediately after the conquest of the islands by the Spaniards (1402-1496), were and remain one of the biggest historical mysteries. These blond-haired (often red-haired!) and blue-eyed people, who had a complex system of mythology and their own cosmogony, a whistling language and a completely unique system of hieroglyphic writing (at least this is how numerous petroglyphs of the Canary Islands are interpreted, which are still not solved, by the way), original art stone processing and architecture, mastered the art of mummifying the dead and taming animals (the huge Bardino herding dogs, brought to Europe from the Canary Islands by the Moors, gave rise to many modern breeds). But at the same time they lived at the level of a primitive communal system, used stone tools and, by all indications, could not get to the islands themselves - they did not even have an idea about the possibility of building watercraft larger than a fishing boat! But after the assimilation of the Guanches (the bulk of them were exterminated or taken into slavery), the mystery of their origin and the mystery of their strange skills remained unsolved, only the whistling language “silbo” is still used to transmit information over long distances (up to 15 km!), yes Bardino dogs are still thriving today.

The largest (2034 sq. km) and most popular island among tourists lies in the center of the archipelago. Like all the Canary Islands, Tenerife is of volcanic origin, which is clearly visible even on the approach to the island - its highest point, the Teide volcano (3718 m), is a clearly visible landmark for all ships passing by.

The island is the third largest in the archipelago. It is a rounded island with a diameter of approximately 50 km, capped by the volcanic cone Pico de las Nieves (1949 m).

The fourth largest island of the archipelago and one of the most volcanically active places in the Canary Islands. Almost the entire center of the island is occupied by lifeless tuff fields, volcanic cones and caves (in the 18th-19th centuries, local volcanoes filled the entire island with lava, almost completely “rewriting” its landscapes).

The least known island in the Canary archipelago. However, more than half of its shores are lined with magnificent beaches of white or golden sand.

On a small island Palm(La Palma, 728 sq. km) of interest are the huge crater La Caldera de Taburiente, the entire territory of which is covered by the national park of the same name, numerous craters of ancient volcanoes, the Cueva Bonita grotto, as well as the picturesque capital of Santa Cruz de la Palma and excellent beaches of Cancajos, Puerto de Naos.

Small mountainous island Homer(Gomera) is considered the greenest place in the archipelago - more than 70% of its territory is covered by dense evergreen forests. It is this piece of land that is considered the birthplace of canaries (which is not surprising - more than 40 species of these birds live in the local forests), the Silbo whistle language, and its Alto de Garajonari mountain range (1487 m) is a huge nature reserve.

The westernmost and smallest island of the Canary archipelago - Hierro(Hierro, 278 sq. km) differs from the other islands of the group in its rocky and steep coastline, due to which it has almost no beaches. But here there are the thermal springs of Sabinos, the Tiñor plateau with its amazing landscape, the large lake El Tamaduste, the vineyards of Frontera, the picturesque bay of El Golfo and a real Mecca for fishermen - the village of La Restinga.

The Canary Islands are rightly called the place of eternal spring, where there is never rain or bad weather. The mild climate, lush valleys, picturesque beaches and quaint cliffs have made the Canaries one of the most famous places on the planet, where everyone dreams of visiting.

Officially, the Canary Islands belong to Spain and are its autonomous province, but the local views and atmosphere in general have little in common with Europe. People come here for exotic things. The unique natural conditions of this place have no analogues. Magnificent beaches and beautiful landscapes, as well as accessibility (just a few hours of flight from Europe) and well-developed tourist infrastructure - all this makes the Canaries one of the most popular resorts, which has long earned worldwide recognition.

The Canary archipelago includes seven main islands and several smaller ones. Of course, each island is unique and interesting in its own way, but the most popular among vacationers are Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria and Tenerife have the best developed tourism and hotel infrastructure: there are the most luxurious hotels and plenty of opportunities for any kind of recreation and entertainment. Well, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote will be of interest to those travelers who prefer peace and solitude.

Climate and weather

The Canaries have a tropical trade wind climate, making the weather moderately hot and dry. Moreover, from the point of view of the level of humidity and precipitation, as well as the number of sunny days, the climate of the Canary Islands is considered almost ideal. Literally the whole year the weather here is dry, sunny, comfortable: in summer the air temperature is +24...26 °С, and in winter - + 18...20 °C. The water temperature is constant all year round and never drops below +19 °С, and on average stays within +20...+25 °С.

It is worth saying that while it is warm on the coast of the islands, it is always cool in the mountainous regions. Also, from time to time, the African sirocco wind reaches the Canaries, suffocating and dusty.

You can visit the Canary Islands all year round, but the peak beach season is from mid-July to October.

Nature

The Canary archipelago, which consists of 13 islands of volcanic origin, lies off the northwestern coast of Africa and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The largest islands of the archipelago are Tenerife, Gomera, Palma, Hierro, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria And Lanzarote.

The nature and landscape of the islands are extremely diverse: tropical forests, volcanic plateaus, palm oases, green fields, beaches, vineyards, olive plantations, extinct and active volcanoes. The vegetation is dominated by evergreen trees and shrubs, as well as many species of cacti.

Attractions

The main attractions of the Canary Islands are, without a doubt, its natural treasures and magnificent beaches, which are simply impossible to list. However, there are also man-made objects here that deserve attention and admiration. For example, in the north-west of the island of Gran Canaria there is an ancient city Galdar. He's famous Cueva Pintada cave with wall paintings of Guanche tribes, remains of settlements of indigenous islanders and graves Necropolis de Galdar.

No less remarkable is the ancient fortress of the 16th century on Lanzarote island, which now houses a large archaeological museum. In addition, there is another fortress on Lanzarote - Castillo de San Jose, within the walls of which is located the Museum of Modern Art with a large collection of abstract paintings and sculptures. Also interesting objects are the pyramids in the Guimar desert on the island of Tenerife. Moreover, they were built according to all the principles of the buildings of Peru, Mexico and ancient Mesopotamia. Now on the territory where they are located there is an Ethnography Park with a museum Casa Chacona, gift shop, cinema and cafeteria.

It is also particularly popular among tourists Loro Park, which boasts a huge number of parrots, as well as an aquarium, a penguinarium and an Orchid House. Another interesting island park is Teide, attracting tourists with a rare sight - a huge crater of an extinct volcano.

If we talk about natural attractions, then the most beautiful La Palma island With volcano Caldera de Taburiente which is surrounded by high mountain peaks. You can't visit the Canaries and not see Giant's Cliffs, which are magnificent rock formations, mountains and with traces of archaeological excavations and hell's Gulch waterfall, and Dragon tree in, which is more than 1000 years old.

Nutrition

To try authentic Canarian cuisine, we recommend visiting establishments whose names include the word tipico. The local cuisine has much in common with Spanish traditions, so such treats as “paella” with seafood or chicken and “tortilla” made from potatoes are widespread here. In addition, Canarian chefs can boast of their own inventions. Firstly, these are fish and seafood dishes: "sardinas"(boiled fish), "sakonkho"(dried fish with garlic and sweet potatoes), "zarzuela"(fish soup), roast tuna, sole, octopus and squid meat, etc.

Meat dishes are no less popular in the Canaries. Among them, the most frequently offered "carne de fiesta" from marinated pork or goat meat, "conejo en salmorejo"(rabbit dish) and "puchero"(stew of beef, corn, pears and apples). Well, as a side dish - boiled potatoes (“papas arrugadas”).

Typical Canarian food is simply unthinkable without sauce "moyo" and gofio cereal flour, which is used as an independent dish and as an additive.

You can’t help but try local desserts - "bienmeabe"(cream made from egg yolk, cinnamon and almonds), flan pudding made from eggs and sugar, baked milk, palm honey, as well as all kinds of exotic fruits.

Among the alcoholic drinks, it is worth highlighting Canarian wine, honey rum, banana liqueur and local beer brands Dorada and Tropical.

Of course, in addition to national dishes, Canarian restaurants offer European cuisine for literally every taste and budget. There are also many fast food establishments ( McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC and etc.).

Accommodation

The Canary Islands are ready to offer their guests a wide range of accommodation options: from first-class hotels 5* to guest houses in rural areas. There are also many campsites, budget hotels, apartment hotels with kitchenettes, bungalows and hotels operating on the islands "all inclusive".

The main advantage of hotels in the Canary Islands is excellent service and a high standard in literally everything. Moreover, the vast majority of Canary hotels are four-star, which are excellent for a comfortable but not ruinous holiday. Well, luxury hotels 5* and can completely leave even the most sophisticated and capricious tourists speechless.

Entertainment and relaxation

The main source of prosperity of the Canary Islands is the tourism business, so the choice of all kinds of entertainment here is simply colossal. The main vacation spots on the islands are numerous beaches. Most of them are marked with the Blue Flag of the European Union, which indicates a high level of service and cleanliness. In addition, most beaches have breakwaters for safe swimming. In general, the islands have both developed beaches, wild ones, and even nudist ones. There are a lot of ways to have fun on the beaches: all kinds of water sports, fishing in the open ocean, windsurfing, yachting, sea excursions and parachute jumping. In addition, the Canary Islands are ready to offer jeep safari, karting, rock climbing, hiking along numerous tourist routes, cycling and horseback riding. Also here you can always play on the tennis courts, practice shooting at moving targets, visit the magnificent golf courses, and even watch cockfights.

The Canaries offer almost any leisure option: nightlife is in full swing here, and during the day entertainment venues and amusement parks are in full swing. The islands can also boast of their numerous restaurants, elite country clubs, zoos, sports facilities, gyms and health centers.

There are a lot of holidays, festivals and carnivals in the Canaries: they are celebrated here literally every week. First of all, these are religious holidays, which are celebrated here with special joy and unprecedented scope ( Epiphany, St. Joseph's Day, All Saints' Day, Good Friday in Holy Week, Corpus Christi, Immaculate Conception and etc.). In addition, each island holds its own original fiestas and festivals.

Purchases

Since the Canary Islands are a free economic zone, prices for many goods here are significantly lower than in Europe. High-quality imported alcohol, by general standards, is sold here practically for nothing, the choice of perfumes is large and pleases with reasonable price tags, and tobacco products, cameras, video cameras, radios, watches and jewelry are cheaper than in the countries of their production. Although it is worth noting that European brands of clothing and shoes are not represented here in a very wide variety, so it is better to pay attention to Spanish brands. You can also buy items made from crocodile skin at a good price on the islands. Standard souvenirs (toys, postcards, magnets) are sold almost everywhere and are very cheap. However, it is recommended to pay attention to more original things, for example, handicrafts (ceramics, embroidery, lace, wickerwork, etc.), local tobacco and souvenirs made from Canarian pine, as well as natural and artificial pearls.

In addition to the fact that prices in the Canaries are much cheaper than in Europe, seasonal sales (rebajas) are held here twice a year. They start in mid-July and at the end of the first week of January. Initially, discounts do not exceed 20-30%, but gradually increase and reach 90% by the end of sales. The biggest sales take place in Santa Cruz, where there are many shopping centers and galleries.

Most shops are open every day except Sunday from 9:00 to 20:00, large supermarkets and department stores are open from 10:00 to 21:00.

Transport

The Canary Islands have a large number of airports that provide international and domestic passenger transport. Among them, the most significant and largest are Gran Canaria Airport, Lanzarote Airport, Tenerife South Airport and Tenerife North Airport. In addition, the islands of the archipelago are connected by ferries that can transport cars. There are high-speed boats between the islands of La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Tenerife. Internal communication on the territory of all islands is carried out through highways.

City public transport is represented by a wide network of TITSA bus routes. Bus fares are low. As a rule, the trip is paid to the driver at the entrance to the front door.

In addition, on the islands you can always use taxi services, which operate on a meter. It is worth keeping in mind that local taxi drivers rarely speak any foreign language, but they know the names of all hotels, restaurants, commercial centers, etc. very well.

Also in the Canaries you can always rent a car of any brand. Moreover, there are often preferential rates (for three days or more). To use car rental services, you must present a document confirming your identity and age of at least 21 years, as well as international rights and security deposit. Several companies on the islands offer bicycles, scooters, mopeds and motorcycles for rent.

Connection

For international calls, the most economical option is the blue-green Telefonica payphones, which are installed on the streets of all cities. They work from any small denomination coins, and the minimum amount for a call to Moscow is $0.5. By the way, from some local payphones you can not only make calls, but also send SMS or email messages. In addition, you can call from phones that are available in almost all bars, from call centers of travel agencies and from a hotel room. In the latter case, an international conversation will cost an order of magnitude more.

Cellular communications on the islands are of excellent quality and uniform coverage. Roaming is available to all subscribers of major operators. It is possible to purchase a local SIM card or rent a phone.

24-hour Internet access is provided in almost all hotels, however, it is not cheap ($6-8 per hour). It will be much more economical to go to an Internet cafe or slot machine hall, where cheap access to the Internet is provided. Many public places have wireless Wi-Fi hotspots.

Safety

There are unlikely to be any dangers awaiting you in the Canary Islands. Tourists here walk absolutely calmly in any place and at any time of the day. Of course, no one has canceled the basic precautions: you need to take care of the safety of your wallet, do not leave things unattended, and store large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe (you can only have a copy of your passport and visa with you). It is also worth keeping in mind that on the streets of most cities you can often find sellers of so-called free lottery tickets. They are completely harmless, but extremely intrusive. To avoid becoming a target of fraud, it is recommended to simply ignore them.

There are no mandatory vaccinations required for a trip to the Canary Islands, and the likelihood of getting any infection is extremely low.

Business climate

In the Canary Islands, tourism is the basis of economic and business life. More than 3 million tourists come to the island of Tenerife alone every year. Rapid economic growth here began at the end of the twentieth century and is associated with large foreign investments in the tourism and hotel industries.

The most important industries here are oil refining, chemicals and food. Also, as a duty-free zone, the islands have important trade importance and are a major international transit base in the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, some of the Canary Islands' income comes from industry and agricultural exports.

Real estate

The main advantage of real estate in the Canaries is its high rental potential, which is explained by the year-round attendance of the resort. In addition, the islands' real estate market was not too affected by the crisis.

The most popular property is on Tenerife, the largest and most populous island, which is the easiest to reach from Europe. Most often, apartments are offered here in residential areas, as well as small bungalows in secluded areas near the ocean. On any island there is the opportunity to buy a villa, both luxurious and more modest.

The procedure for purchasing real estate in the Canary Islands is carried out in accordance with Spanish legislation, registration is notarized.

According to customs rules, citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union are allowed to import no more than 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 2 liters of wine and 1 liter of alcoholic beverage with a strength of more than 22° to the Canary Islands. The import of drugs, weapons and certain medicines is prohibited. The export of jewelry, historical valuables and antiques is permitted only upon presentation of a special permit. The import of foreign currency is not limited in any way (if the amount exceeds 500 euros, a declaration will be required). The export of previously imported foreign currency is permitted upon declaration.

Visa information

The Canary Islands belong to Spain, therefore, to enter their territory from a country outside the European Union, a Schengen visa is required. In Moscow, it can be issued at the Spanish Embassy (Bol. Nikitskaya St., 50/8) or the Consular Section (Stremyanny Lane, 31/1), in St. Petersburg - at the Consulate General (Furshtatskaya St., 9).

It is necessary to take into account that when departing from Spain, a mark on leaving the country is often not placed in the passport. In this regard, you must always save your air tickets, as they will be required when you subsequently apply for a visa to a country included in the Schengen zone.

Which country does the Canary Islands belong to? In ancient times, the archipelago was inhabited by Guanche tribes, who, before the arrival of Europeans, cultivated the land and were engaged in cattle breeding. In 1334, French sailors visited the islands, and the natives had to make room. According to the laws of that time, all newly discovered lands fell under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Vatican, represented by Pope Clement VI, presented the Canary Islands to Count Alfonso XI, the ruler of Castile, the largest province on the island. For some time, it became clear who owned the Canary Islands. However, Alfonso XI did not know what to do with such a gift. The aborigines did not bring any economic benefit, and on the contrary, the ruler was now obliged to improve life on the islands. The count did not dare to give up the archipelago directly, but he tried, through complex negotiations, to transfer his ownership rights to other hands. The question of who owns the Canary Islands is literally hanging in the air.

Who is the boss anyway?

It would seem that the answer to the question of which country the Canary Islands belong to lies on the surface. The owner is Spain, but everything turned out to be not so simple.

Half a century later, the French decided to capture the islands. Military ships proceeded along the West African coast, which then approached two islands in the center of the archipelago - Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The local population weakly resisted the annexation.

In Gran Canaria, French troops celebrated their victory a few days later, and in Tenerife it happened a little later. This was followed by periodic landings on the Canary Islands by conquerors of all stripes, from Moroccan soldiers to the English admiral Robert Blake, who spent a brilliant time near the island of Tenerife in 1657, engaging in battle with the Spanish Armada. He emerged victorious from this confrontation, but the islands nevertheless went to Spain.

140 years later, the famous Admiral Nelson tried to capture Tenerife, but the capital of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz, stood in his way, and he was defeated. Eventually the British abandoned their imperial ambitions.

The question of which country belonged to the Canary Islands remained unanswered for a long time, until the archipelago finally ceded to Spain in 1821. In 1982, the Canary Islands were declared an autonomous region of the Spanish state, and in 1986 the province of the Canaries joined the European Union. Thus, the answer to the question of which country the Canary Islands belong to is now clear. As a result of numerous renamings and changes in status, the right decision was made. Today the Canary Islands belong to Spain.

Archipelago today

What are the Canary Islands - a country, a province or some special structure? The geographical position of the archipelago indicates its conditional affiliation with mainland Spain, but the islands have complete and unconditional autonomy.

The Canary Islands are a country when it comes to social infrastructure and the availability of services necessary to maintain law and order. These are the police, courts and legal institutions. Although, on the other hand, all of the listed services are practically inactive, since the Canaries are a super-tourism zone, millions of travelers come to the blessed land to relax, have fun and temporarily forget about the hardships of civilization. In this case, no one breaks the laws.

Geography

The Canary Islands are located just one hundred kilometers from the African continent and seven hundred kilometers from the coast of Spain. The archipelago adjoins Africa from the northwest (at the junction of Western Sahara and Morocco).

There are only seven Greater Canary Islands. The closest island to the African coast is Lanzarote, the next island is Fuerteventura, then there is Gran Canaria, followed by Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and Hierro. These are the largest volcanic formations, but there are many more minor ones.

A list that includes the most popular Canary Islands, a map of their location, directions, etc. - all this information can be obtained from tourist offices in Spain or upon arrival on the island. Tenerife.

The islands are not alike; each of them is attractive in its own way. For example, Lanzarote is ideal for lovers of a calm, measured holiday, and Gran Canaria is a paradise for surfers and divers. For tourists arriving in the Canary Islands, a map and guides will help them navigate in choosing the best holiday destination. There are also hotels for every taste - more expensive, more comfortable, economy class hotels with reasonable prices.

It is difficult to say how many Canary Islands there are in the archipelago; an exact count has not been carried out. However, it is known that not all of them are inhabited. At one time, municipal authorities even opened the sale of small islands. Those who wished could purchase a small piece of land in the ocean at a reasonable price. Trade was brisk until Spanish authorities on the mainland intervened. The capital of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was then forced to transfer part of its powers to the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Most popular places

The best island of the Canary Islands, according to most tourists, is Tenerife. In second place in popularity is Gran Canaria. These islands are distinguished by their developed infrastructure, high-quality hotels, and excellent entertainment complexes for both adults and children.

The Canary Islands, photos of which are presented in the article, have long become one of the best places for active recreation. Tourists are attracted by the opportunity to choose and impeccable service.

Landscape

The Canary Islands, the photos of which are amazing, are volcanic formations that appeared above the water millions of years ago. Until now, on the surface you can observe bizarre landscapes with solidified lava, adjacent to long sand dunes, reminiscent of Luxurious beaches washed by ocean waves, and immediately behind them begin hotel complexes with palm alleys. The warm breeze from the sea moves the green branches of the trees, vacationers feel unity with nature, and this happens throughout the day. When the time comes to part with the Canaries, no one wants to leave. The charm of this paradise remains in the memory for a long time, until your next visit.

Climate

The climate in the Canary Islands is temperate tropical, dry and hot, but not sultry. The temperature range is determined by the proximity of the African coast. Hot trade winds mix with ocean air masses. The result is a kind of airy cocktail, cool and comfortable, which spreads throughout the Canary Islands. Air masses are continuously renewed. The climate is also moderated by a permanent anticyclone over the Azores, located northwest of the archipelago.

Temperatures in the Canary Islands remain stable all year round. It is 20-30 in summer, 16-25 degrees Celsius in winter. Throughout the year, there is a relative influence of mountains and hills on climatic conditions, but temperature changes are insignificant, they do not exceed 2-3 degrees. Temperature changes occur mainly on the highest Canary Islands - Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma. The climate in the rest of the archipelago remains virtually unchanged.

The water temperature in the area of ​​the islands in question is about 20 degrees Celsius. Equilibrium is achieved due to the Canary Current - quite cold, but slow. In general, the temperature regime on the islands is very comfortable and stable. The climate in the Canaries can be briefly described as follows: warm and sunny.

For tourists who come to the Canary Islands in winter, the weather in December is not much different from spring - it’s just as warm. Of course, the sudden change in climatic conditions within one day is impressive.

The Canary Islands (the weather in December is warmer than in summer in Moscow) continue to amaze visitors. The popularity of the world-famous resort has long known no bounds; millions of tourists from all continents fly to the Reina Sophia international airport and choose the island where they will spend unforgettable days.

Canary Islands. Sights, beaches

The natural attraction of the islands in question are the beaches, superbly equipped, covered with golden sand or black basalt pebbles. There are shower stalls around the perimeter, sun loungers are located everywhere in even rows, and there are wide sun umbrellas. At special kiosks you can purchase diving equipment, fins, masks and other attributes for scuba diving.

City of Los Vinos

This is the oldest settlement on the island of Tenerife. The main city attraction is the thousand-year-old Dragon Tree. Visitors to the ancient convent of San Augustine will walk through the monastic cells, get acquainted with the life of the novices, and communicate with the abbess. Then you can visit the Church of San Marcos and a garden with colonies of tropical butterflies of fabulous beauty.

Loro Park

Initially these were aviaries with parrots. Nowadays this place is even more amazing. Now the park contains the rarest breeds of tropical parrots, which coexist with orchids that bloom all year round, planted throughout the territory (the most beautiful specimens can be admired in the Orchid House). Also in Loro Park there is a huge aquarium with a whale shark, dolphins, sea lions and other inhabitants of the ocean. A special place is occupied by the penguinarium with an artificial arctic climate.

Teide Park

This is a high-mountain entertainment complex located at an altitude of two thousand meters. The temperature there remains at forty degrees Celsius. In the center of the park is the crater of an extinct volcano, the diameter of which is 48 kilometers. You can get to its top by lift (climbers climb on foot).

Hell's Gulch

In the southern part of the island of Tenerife is the only natural waterfall of the Canary archipelago, an oasis in the middle of a dry and barren plain. This cascade of silvery streams is called Hell's Gorge. Tourists can experience the full power of the unbridled elements by going under the rock from which the waterfall falls.

Guimara Pyramids

These are religious buildings, repeating man-made elevations in Peru, Mexico and ancient Mesopotamia. At first, the pyramids in Guimara were mistaken for piles of stones piled up by Spanish settlers when clearing land for plowing. However, later a group of researchers, among whom was the famous traveler, came to the conclusion that the six piles of stones are nothing more than pyramids.

In addition, in the Guimara Park there is a museum of ethnography "Chaconne House", which exhibits a life-size architectural model of the palace of King Ra II.

Giant's Cliffs

Huge sections of the coast of the island of Tenerife are occupied by grandiose rocks, closely standing close to the water, and in some places - ledges descending into the ocean. The rocks are considered sacred; their constant desire to plunge into the abyss is similar to a divine ritual.

You can only get to the enchanted cliffs from the sea by ship or motor boats.

Anaga Mountains

The magnificent hills of Tenerife offer a vast botanical world. The mountain plateaus called Anaga are an example of ecological purity. There you can meet local residents living in caves.

The Canary Islands, whose attractions rank with world masterpieces of nature and ethnography, attract millions of tourists. Airlines are operating at full capacity, with planes landing and taking off every minute.

Seven islands as seven wonders of the world

A wonderful and unique archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and its pearl - the island of Tenerife. Spain, the Canary Islands are the best holiday destination in the whole world.

Lanzarote is an island of dormant volcanoes. Entire fields of solidified lava, unusual landscapes on the plains and mountain slopes, multi-colored petrified streams recreate picturesque panels of extraordinary beauty. Lanzarote's Timanfaya National Park can be perceived as a permanent vernissage of natural art. And the hotel infrastructure seamlessly merges with natural scenery. The island of Lanzarote is a biosphere reserve surrounded by unspoilt nature and a volcanic landscape.

Fuerteventura is an island with an endless suite of magnificent virgin beaches, completely empty, allowing you to enjoy the ocean views in complete solitude. Nowhere in the world is there such freedom as on the beaches of Fuerteventura. The sea water is surprisingly clean and warm, it glows turquoise. The island is ideal for those who prefer a romantic pastime, a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. Throughout the day you can feel like Robinson, staying in silence and complete solitude, and in the evening return to a comfortable hotel for dinner.

It is famous not only for its magnificent golden beaches, but also for its extensive infrastructure. Adding to the overall picture of prosperity is the nature of the island, striking in its diversity. Deep forested ravines alternate with green peaks, and everything comes together in a grandiose panorama. The central part of the island of Gran Canaria is covered with a luxurious carpet of vegetation, in the south there are gentle shores with beaches, and in the north, cliffs rise into the sky, bordering small coves with azure water. Any sport is held in high esteem on the island - horse riding, golf and tennis, fishing and spearfishing.

Tenerife

The largest and most comfortable island. Its nature is unique, the variety of relief is amazing. In the center is the snow cap of Teide, in the north there are green areas, the southern part is all golden sand, the beaches are lined up in a neat row. The island of Tenerife has a unique tourism infrastructure, there are restaurants serving national cuisines from almost all countries of the world, health centers, sports and gyms, and all kinds of excursions on land and sea are organized. All this makes your holiday in Tenerife unforgettable.

Homer

An island famous for its relict vegetation. The natural exoticism of La Gomera is available to tourists arriving from Tenerife by ferry.

La Palma

The most blooming and green of all the islands of the Canary archipelago. The infrastructure is poorly developed, but La Palma has ample opportunities for rural tourism. Lovers of rural landscapes and a relaxing holiday should visit this island.

Hierro

The smallest of the islands of the Canary archipelago. For centuries it was perceived as the most mysterious place on the planet. The end of the world - this is how Hierro is characterized. Those who want to be far from civilization cannot find a better place.