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The Canary Islands (/ kəˈnɛəri /; Spanish: Islas Canarias or Canarias, [kaˈnaɾjas] ⓘ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish region, autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Morocco.
Ordenadas de occidente a oriente, las islas Canarias son El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote y La Graciosa, teniendo administración propia las siete primeras y estando la última
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Canary Islands, comunidad autónoma (autonomous community) of Spain, consisting of an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, the nearest island being 67 miles (108 km) off the northwest African mainland. The Canaries comprise the Spanish provincias (provinces) of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as well as the insular councils of Gran Canaria, Fue...
Physically, the Canaries fall into two groups. The western group, made up of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, and Ferro islands, consists of mountain peaks that rise directly from a deep ocean floor. The eastern group comprises Lanzarote, Fuerteventura Island, and six islets surmounting a single submarine plateau, the Canary Ridge, that rises about 4,500 feet (1,400 metres) from the ocean floor. The Canary Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. All the western islands exceed 4,000 feet (1,200 metres) at their highest points, with Teide Peak on Tenerife rising to 12,198 feet (3,718 metres), the highest point on Spanish soil.
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Islands and Archipelagos
The Canary Islands have a subtropical climate. Temperatures are warm and show little seasonal variation. At Las Palmas city, for example, the average afternoon temperature in August is in the high 70s F (about 26 °C), while in January it drops to about 70 °F (21 °C). Annual precipitation, which is concentrated in November and December, is low, rarely exceeding 10 inches (250 mm) anywhere except on the windward northeastern sides of the islands, where it may reach 30 inches (750 mm).
The islands’ rich volcanic soils and mild temperatures support a wide variety of vegetation that generally follows a zonal arrangement based on elevation. From sea level to about 1,300 feet (400 metres), plants characteristic of hot, arid tracts can be found, and better-watered or irrigated tracts yield crops of bananas, oranges, coffee, dates, sugarcane, and tobacco. From about 1,300 to 2,400 feet (400 to 730 metres) the climate is more Mediterranean, and cereals, potatoes, and grapes are the main crops. Elevations above 2,400 feet have an appreciably cooler climate that supports stands of holly, myrtle, laurel, and other trees.
The populations of Tenerife and Gran Canaria grew rapidly relative to those of the other islands in the 20th century. Canary Islands Spanish (a distinct dialect of Spanish) is spoken in the Canaries, and certain archaic words peculiar to the archipelago show Portuguese influences.
The original inhabitants of the Canaries were the Guanches (see Guanche and Canario); now assimilated into the general population, they were a Berber people who were conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century. The Romans learned of the Canaries through Juba II, king of Mauritania, whose account of an expedition (c. 40 bce) to the islands was pres...
Learn about the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean with a subtropical climate and diverse vegetation. Find out about their volcanic origin, agricultural economy, and tourist industry.
- Teide National Park, Tenerife. The third highest volcano in the world at 3,718 meters in altitude, Teide towers above the small island of Tenerife, the best known of the Canary Islands.
- Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote. Lanzarote has a much more recent volcanic history than Tenerife - the cataclysmic eruptions that covered most of the island in molten lava and volcanic ash took place between 1730 and 1736.
- Beaches of Gran Canaria. The far south coast of Gran Canaria has a succession of beautiful golden sand beaches. Between Playa de San Agustin on the west and Puerto de Mogán to the east, sunseekers will find no less than six major beach resort areas.
- The Beaches of Tenerife. Like those of Gran Canaria, the fabled beaches of Tenerife lie along its sunny south coast. Among the most developed, with plenty of holiday homes, hotels, restaurants, and sports options, are the golden sands of family-oriented Playa de Las Vistas and the upscale enclaves around Playa del Duque, on the Costa Adeje to the west.
The sun-drenched Canary Islands lie close to North Africa and have an exotic flavor of their own. Hundreds of volcanoes, rolling sand dunes, rich forests and rugged cliffs dapple these seven Atlantic gems. Catch a ferry to Lanzarote. Ride a camel through volcanic Timanfaya National Park.
May 8, 2023 · Ranking of the top 8 things to do in Canary Islands. Travelers favorites include #1 Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), #2 Playa de Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) and more.
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These islands are known for being the sunshine centre of Europe, and offer mild temperatures and a range of outstanding natural attractions. In fact, five of its seven islands have been declared a Biosphere Reserve, and the archipelago has four national parks.
