THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE CANARY ISLANDS

Thousands of years ago, the islands were formed by volcanic explosions. The first inhabitants, the Guanches, made their first settlemenets around 3000 BC. They called their community Tamaran. In the 15h century, Spain conquered the settlement and the land has been under Spanish rule ever since.

Gran Canaria, the third largest island in the archipelago and the most populated. There are about 789,908 inhabitants, with about half (377,600) found in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This city is considered the capital of the province of Las Palmas as well as the entire autonomous community of the Canary Islands.

There are 21 municipalities: San Bartolome de Tirajana, Santa Maria de Guia,San Nicolas de Tolentino, Sta. Brigida, Sta. Lucia de Tirajana, Agaete, Aguimes, Firgas, Galdar, Ingenio, Mogan, Moya, Las Palmas, Artenara, Arucas, Tejeda Telde, Teror, Valleseco, Valsequillo and Vega de San Mateo.

It is 1,560 square kilometers, and its highest peak (at Pico de Las Nieves) reaches 1,949 meters. Shaped like a circle, Gran Ganaria reaches a diameter of over 50 kilometers.

GETTING AROUND THE CANARY ISLANDS

The Gran Canaria’s transportation system has greatly improved in the last few decades. There are now highways that traverse the whole island and even reach into the previously impassable mountain areas. In the latter part of the 20th century, the Gran Canaria government also constructed super highways: car hire Malaga. The first ones were built in and around the capital, Las Palmas, and were then expanded to the northern coast, reaching the airport. The increase in tourist traffic led to the development of the south coast. The super highways are called GC1, GC2, and GC31, and these are then divided into GC4 and GC5. Only highways link the west and northwest areas of Gran Canaria, which are rarely visited by tourists.

TOURISM

Gran Canaria is often described as a “Miniature Continent” because of the sheer variety of the climates and landscapes that tourists can experience in it. If you go north of the island you’ll find a much cooler temperature; go south, and you’ll find sun and warmth. Beaches and coastlines decorate the eastern side of the island, while mountains and rocky hills decorate the western side. Most of the tourists like to visit the southern part of the island.

THE MAJOR ATTRACTIONS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS

One of the most popular destinations is the Palmitos Park, a very big bird park. This is found in the southern area of the island, very near the many resorts and tourist accommodations, especially in the towns of Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, and Sonnenland.

Between Playa del Ingles and Masapolomas, tourists can find the famous Dunes of Maspalomas. At the western side of this stands the Lighthouse at Maspalomas.

Playa del Ingles is actually quite popular in the homosexual or gay community, who love to frequent the numerous bars and restaurants. There is even a famous gay beach near the Masaplomas Dunes. There are also several boutiques in the Yumbo Centrum shopping center. Hwoever, the best shopping is found in the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, found on the island’s north. Within the capital is the beach Las Canteras. It’s best to visit there during the annual Carnaval.

If you go southwest, you’ll hit the Municipality of Mogan. Here sits the fishing city of Arguineguin, where you can shop for the freshest ingredients and several local goods in the island’s largest market. It is held every Tuesday.

For those who want a taste of local culture and life, you can also visit the towns of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán. These are very picturesque, with many canals—earning it the nickname “Little Venice”.

Be sure to visit Banana Park, the monolith Roque Nublo, the 290 caves of Cenobio de Valeron, and the Jardin Canario in Tafira Alta, a botanical garden. One of the most famous attractions of the Canary Islands was the Finger of God, or El Dedo de Dios, a rocky spire that thrusts upwards from the ocean near the Puerto de las Nieves. But a strong storm in November 2005 destroyed this natural monument.