Canary Islands

The Canary Islands form an autonomous community under Spain. They are found about a hundred kilometers off the northwest coast of the African mainland, near Morocco.

Travelers who visit the Canary Islands will have a very interesting smorgasbord of experiences, hopping from one island to another. The territory encompasses thirteen islands in all, but seven are the most prominent sites for tourists:

The Gran Canaria features a wide variety of landscapes, including lush ravines, long white-sand beaches, and quaint villages; around 30% of the island is under UNESCO protection as a biosphere reserve.

Fuerteventura is notable for its surfing beaches.

Lanzarote features the Tunnel of Atlantis, the largest underwater volcanic tunnel in the world.

Tenerife is known for its old mountain ranges and Mount Teide, one of the highest peaks in the region and in all of Spain. La Gomera is known for its spectacular terrains and paradise forests.

La Palma is noted for having the most important astrophysics observatories in the northern hemisphere. El Hierro Island, also called the “Meridian Island,” was once used as a marker for the Prime Meridian.

Currently, the Canary Islands have a population composed mostly of Spanish, German, British, South Americans, Cubans, Venezuelans, and the Northern and Sub-Saharan African ethnicities. Its minority is composed of Russians, Koreans, and Indians.

The most common languages used in the islands are Spanish, English, and German, in that order.

The islands have a well-developed communication system and very efficient airports and sea ports. Other available forms of public transportation are ferries, trains, buses, and taxis.

If you plan to bring electronic gadgets with you during your trip, note that that the plug types used there are C, E and F; the electricity is at 230 Volts. You may need to bring a plug adapter and a voltage converter.