Canary Islands
|
The Canary Isles |
|
The canary Islands are a group of seven volcanic islands, appriximately
100 to 500 km off the coast of north west Africa, roughly on the same latitude
as the border between marocco and the Sahara Occidental.
Tenerife
The largest of the seven inhabited Canary Islands, offers a wide range of scenery and
attractions with most of the original development being in the north. In this part of the
island, there is a higher rainfall resulting in some picturesque green scenery.
On the north east coast is Santa Cruz de Tenrife, the capital of the island and on
the north west coast is the resort of Puerto de la Cruz, with the
Tenerife North Airport roughly halfway between the two.
The southern part of the island has a drier landscape with some of the coastline
having been developed for tourism.
In the centre of the island is Spains highest mountain, Mount Teide, rising to 3718m
or 12200 feet, which domates many of the views from the coast. The mountain has a cable car taking visitors
to within walking distance of the peak. This will have snow on it during the winter
but can be picturesque with wild flowers during spring.
Tenerife can be accessed by
Tenerife North Airport and
Tenerife South Airport
Do you want More Information on Tenerife?
Gran Canaria
The island of Gran Canaria is effectively cone shaped with a volcano (Pico de las Nieves)
rising to nearly 2000m in the centre. Below this peak are tranquil valleys and then
a coatline that can be rugged or beautiful sandy beaches.
Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, is situated on the North East tip of the
island and is a resort in it's own right with a large sandy beach, almost within
the city.
The main beach resorts however are on the south coast and at Maspalomas, there is a
large area of golden sand dunes giving the impression of a mini sahara.
Gran Canaria can be accessed by Las Palmas Airport
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is the closest of the Canaries to Africa and differs from some by not having
a high volcanic peak but does show the signs of extensive past volcanic activity -
over 300 volcanoes infact.
One tourist attraction is the Montaņas del Fuego, or Mountaains of Fire, now part of the Timanfaya National Park. In certain
locations, guide may push a small branch into a crack in the ground to show that it
will quickly catch fire from the heat below.
Part of this volcanic area has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
The main beach resorts ar on the south of the island.
Lanzarote can be accessed by Lanzarote Airport
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is place for beach lovers with large areas of golden sandy beaches,
some of which are popular with wind surfers.
Fuerteventura can be accessed by Fuerteventura Airport
La Palma
La Palma (not to be confused with Las Palmas, the capital city of Gran Canaria) is
the most North Westerly of the canary islands is relatively lush and green resulting
in some good walking country.
In the north of the island is the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, one the worlds largest sunken volcanic craters with sides that drop 2000m to the fertile area below.
La Palma can be accessed by La Palma Airport