Guide of Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are situated just off the west coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean and are part of Spain. They are volcanic and are made up of six islands; Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Lanzarote, La Gomera, El Hierro. The islands have a mild climate throughout the year, with warm winds and ocean waters thanks to the Gulf stream. The official language is Spanish and the currency is the euro.

History

The original inhabitants of the Canary Islands came from the Maghrib, the area spanning from present-day Tunisia to Morocco called the Gaunches, who spoke many different languages from one island to another, who lived from farming and agriculture. There were European Invasions in the 14th century, beginning with the French in 1402, then in 1479 Spanish control of the Canaries commenced under the Treaty of Alcáçovas. Today the Canaries remain part of Spain and have become a very popular destination for all types of traveller. Besides the fantastic beaches, The Canary Islands offer good food, beautiful nature, relaxation and fun. There are many local festivals, but the best is the annual Carnival held in February, it's well worth visiting at this time to experience this colourful street party full of live music and food!