Which country owns the Canary Islands? Canary Islands: attractions, weather, traveler reviews

Which country owns the Canary Islands? In ancient times the archipelago was inhabited by the Guanche tribes, who till the coming of Europeans cultivated the land and engaged in cattle breeding. In 1334 the islands were visited by French navigators, and the aborigines had to make room. According to the laws of that time, all newly discovered lands fell under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Vatican in the person of Pope Clement VI gave the Canary Islands to Count Alfonso XI, the ruler of Castile, the largest province on the Iberian Peninsula. For a while it became clear who owns the Canary Islands. However, Alfonso XI did not know what to do with such a gift. Aborigines did not bring any economic benefit, and even vice versa, the ruler was obliged from now on to improve life on the islands. The Count did not dare to abandon the archipelago, but he tried to transfer his ownership to other hands through complicated negotiations. The question of who owns the Canary Islands, literally hung in the air.

Who is the master, after all?

It would seem that the answer to the question of which country the Canary Islands belong to is lying on the surface. The owner is Spain, but everything was not so simple.

Half a century later, the French decided to take the islands. Along the western African coast, military vessels proceeded, which then approached two islands in the center of the archipelago - Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The local population languidly resisted annexation.

In Gran Canaria, French troops celebrated victory in a few days, and in Tenerife it happened a little later. Then came periodic landing on the Canary Islands of conquerors of all stripes, beginning from the Moroccan soldiers and ending with the English admiral Robert Blake, who conducted a brilliant sea battle near the island of Tenerife in 1657, having entered the battle with the Spanish armada. He emerged victorious from this confrontation, but the islands, however, retreated to Spain.

After 140 years, the famous Admiral Nelson tried to capture Tenerife, but on his way the capital of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz, rose and he was defeated. In the end, the British abandoned their imperial ambitions.

The question of which country the Canary Islands belonged for a long time remained unanswered, until in 1821 the archipelago finally left Spain. In 1982 the Canary Islands were declared an autonomous region of the Spanish state, and in 1986 the province of Canary entered the European Union. Thus, the answer to the question of which country the Canary Islands belong to is now unambiguous. As a result of numerous renaming and changes in status, the right decision was made. Today, the Canary Islands belong to Spain.

Archipelago today

What is the Canary Islands - a country, a province or some special structure? The geographical position of the archipelago speaks of its conditional membership of mainland Spain, but the islands have autonomy full and unconditional.

Canary Islands - a country, if you have in mind the social arrangement and the availability of services necessary for compliance with the rule of law and order. These are the police, courts and legal institutions. Although, on the other hand, all the listed services are practically inactive, since the Canaries are a zone of super-tourism, millions of travelers come to the blessed land to rest, have fun and for a time forget about the burdens of civilization. No one violates laws at the same time.

Geography

The Canary Islands are only a hundred kilometers from the African continent and at a distance of seven hundred nautical miles from the coast of Spain. The archipelago adjoins Africa from the northwest (at the junction of Western Sahara and Morocco).

The Grand Canary Islands are only seven. The nearest to the African coast is Lanzarote, the next island is Fuerteventura, then Gran Canaria is located, followed by Tenerife, Homer, La Palma and Hierro. These are the largest volcanic formations, but there are many secondary ones.

The list, which includes the most popular Canary Islands, map of their location, directions, etc. - all this information can be obtained at the tourist bureau of Spain or on arrival on the island. Tenerife.

The islands are not alike, each of them is attractive in its own way. For example, Lanzarote is ideal for lovers of a quiet, measured rest, and Gran Canaria is a paradise for surfers and divers. For tourists who come to the Canary Islands, the map and guides will help you to choose the best holiday destination. Hotels are also available for every taste - more expensive, more comfortable, economy-class hotels with reasonable prices.

How many Canaries are in the archipelago, it is difficult to say, exact calculation was not carried out. However, it is known that not all of them are inhabited. At one time the municipal authorities even opened the sale of small islands. Those who could buy at a reasonable price a small piece of land in the ocean. Trade went briskly, until the Spanish authorities interfered on the mainland. The capital of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was then forced to give part of its powers to the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Most popular places

The best island of the Canary Islands, according to most tourists, is Tenerife. In second place in popularity - Gran Canaria. These islands have developed infrastructure, high-class hotels, great entertainment complexes for both adults and children.

Canary Islands, photos of which are presented in the article, have long become one of the best places for outdoor activities. Tourists are attracted by the choice and impeccable service.

Landscape

Canary Islands, photos of which amaze the imagination, are volcanic formations that appeared over the water millions of years ago. Till now on a surface it is possible to observe quaint landscapes with the stagnated lava with which long long sand dunes, reminding desert Sahara adjoin . Luxury beaches are washed by ocean waves, and immediately behind them are hotel complexes with palm alleys. A warm breeze from the sea stirs the green branches of trees, resting feel unity with nature, and this happens throughout the day. When the time for parting with the Canaries is approaching, nobody wants to leave. The charm of the paradise corner remains in the memory for a long time, until the next arrival.

Climate

The climate in the Canary Islands is temperate-tropical, dry and hot, but not sultry. The temperature range is determined by the proximity of the African coast. Hot trade-winds are mixed with ocean air masses. It turns out a kind of airy cocktail, cool and comfortable, which spreads throughout the Canary Islands. The air masses are continuously updated. The climate also mitigates the permanently operating anticyclone over the Azores, located to the north-west of the archipelago.

The temperature in the Canary Islands is kept at a stable level throughout the year. It is in the summer of 20-30, in winter - 16-25 degrees Celsius. During the year, the relative influence of mountains and hills on climatic conditions is observed, however, the temperature differences are insignificant, they do not exceed 2-3 degrees. Changes in the temperature regime occur mainly in the highest Canary Islands - Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma. The climate in the rest of the archipelago practically does not change.

The water temperature in the area of the islands under consideration is about 20 degrees Celsius. Equilibrium is achieved due to the Canary Current - quite cold, but slow. In general, on the islands, the temperature regime is very comfortable and stable. It is possible to describe in a few words the climate in the Canaryas as follows: warm and sunny.

For tourists who flew in the winter to the Canary Islands, the weather in December Little differs from spring - it's just as warm. Certainly, a sharp change in climatic conditions during one day is impressive.

Canary Islands (December weather Warmer than in the summer in Moscow) continue to surprise visitors. The popularity of the resort of world importance has long known no boundaries, millions of tourists from all over the world fly to the international airport of Reina Sophia and choose an island on which to spend unforgettable days.

Canary Islands. Attractions, beaches

The natural attraction of the islands under consideration is the beaches, beautifully equipped, covered with golden sand or black basalt pebbles. Per perimeter shower cabins are arranged, everywhere there are sun beds in regular rows, immediately - wide umbrellas from the sun. In special kiosks you can buy accessories for diving, fins, masks and other attributes for scuba diving.

Los Vinos

This is the oldest settlement on the island of Tenerife. The main city attraction is the millennial Tree of Dragons. Visitors to the ancient women's monastery of San Augustine will go through the monastic cells, get acquainted with the life of the novices, and talk with the abbots. Then you can visit the Church of San Marcos and the garden with the colonies of tropical butterflies of fairytale beauty.

Loro Park

Initially, these were aviaries with parrots. Now this place is even more amazing. Now in the park are collected the rarest breeds of tropical parrots that coexist with year-round orchids blooming throughout the territory (the most beautiful specimens can be admired in the House of Orchids). Also in the park "Loro" is a huge aquarium with a whale shark, dolphins, sea lion and other inhabitants of the ocean. A special place is occupied by a penguinarium with an artificial arctic climate.

Teide Park

This is a high-altitude entertainment complex, deployed at an altitude of two thousand meters. The temperature there is at a level of forty degrees Celsius. In the center of the park there is a crater of an extinct volcano, whose diameter is 48 kilometers. You can get to its top on the ski lift (fans of mountaineering climb on foot).

Gorge of Hell

In the southern part of the island of Tenerife is the only natural waterfall of the Canary archipelago, an oasis in the middle of a dry and barren plain. This cascade of silvery jets is called the Gorge of Hell. Tourists can experience the full power of unbridled elements, entering the rock with which the waterfall falls.

The Pyramids of Guimara

This is a religious building, repeating man-made elevations in Peru, Mexico and ancient Mesopotamia. At first the pyramids in Guimar were taken for piles of stones piled up by Spanish settlers while clearing the land for plowing. However, later a group of researchers, among whom was the famous traveler Thur Heyerdahl, came to the conclusion that six piles of stones are nothing but pyramids.

In addition, the museum of ethnography "House of Chacone", in which the architectural model of the palace of King Ra II in full size, is exhibited in the park of Guimara.

Cliffs of giants

The huge stretches of the coast of the island of Tenerife are occupied by grandiose rocks, closely standing near the water itself, and in some places by ledges descending into the ocean. The rocks are considered sacred, their constant desire to plunge into the abyss is like a divine ritual.

You can get to the enchanted cliffs only from the sea side by boat or motor boats.

Mountains of Anaga

The magnificent hills on the island of Tenerife represent a boundless botanical world. Mountain plateaus called Anaga are an example of ecological purity. There you can meet locals living in caves.

Canary Islands, attractions Which are on a par with the world's masterpieces of nature and ethnography, attract millions of tourists. Airlines operate at full load, planes sit down and take off every minute.

Seven islands as the Seven Wonders of the World

Remarkable and unique is the archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and its pearl - the island of Tenerife. Spain, Canary Islands - the best place to relax all over the world.

Lanzarote is an island of sleeping volcanoes. Entire fields of frozen lava, unusual landscapes on the plains and slopes of mountains, multi-colored petrified streams recreate the picturesque panels of extraordinary beauty. The national park of the island of Lanzarote, called Timanfaya, can be perceived as a permanent vernissage of natural art. And the hotel infrastructure organically merges with the natural scenery. The island of Lanzarote is a biosphere reserve, surrounded by virgin nature, against the backdrop of a volcanic landscape.

Fuerteventura - an island of endless enfilade of magnificent virgin beaches, completely empty, allowing you to enjoy the ocean scenery in complete solitude. Nowhere in the world is there such freedom as on the beaches of Fuerteventura. The sea water is surprisingly clean and warm, it glows with turquoise. The island is ideal for those who prefer a romantic pastime, a holiday away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. For the whole day you can feel like Robinson on an uninhabited island, staying in silence and alone, and in the evening return to a comfortable hotel for dinner.

The island of Gran Canaria is famous not only for its magnificent golden beaches, but also for its wide infrastructure. As an addition to the overall picture of prosperity - the nature of the island, striking in its diversity. Deep forested gullies alternate with verdure covered with greenery, and all together is connected in a grand panorama. The central part of the island of Gran Canaria is covered with a luxurious vegetative carpet, in the south there are gently sloping beaches with beaches, and in the north cliffs bordering small coves with azure water rise to the sky. Any kind of sport on the island's pride is riding, golf and tennis, fishing and spearfishing.

Tenerife

The largest and most comfortable island. Its nature is unique, the diversity of the relief is amazing. In the center there is a snow cap Teide, in the north there are green massifs, the southern part is all in golden sand, the beaches are lined up in a neat row. The island of Tenerife has a unique tourist infrastructure, there are restaurants with dishes of national cuisines of almost all countries of the world, health centers, sports and gyms, all sorts of excursions are organized on land and by sea. All this makes rest in Tenerife unforgettable.

Homer

Island, famous relic vegetation. The natural exotic of Homer is accessible to tourists coming from the island of Tenerife by ferry.

La Palma

The most blooming and green of all the islands of the Canary archipelago. Infrastructure is poorly developed, but La Palma has ample opportunities for rural tourism. Fans of rural scenery and a relaxing holiday should visit this island.

Hierro

The smallest of the islands of the Canary archipelago. For centuries, it was perceived as the most mysterious place on the planet. The end of the world is characterized by Hierro. Those who want to be away from civilization can not find a better place.

Reviews of tourists

Numerous travelers visiting the Canary Islands leave the hospitable region with the feeling that they are leaving their native places. Reviews of tourists are full of sincere gratitude. Two weeks, which are usually allocated for recreation in the Canary Islands, pass unnoticed in pleasant troubles. After all, you need to get anywhere - and buy in the purest ocean water, and go on an excursion, and visit a sports club, gym. Then - again on the beach, ride a jet ski, dive with scuba diving, visit the dolphinarium and catch a restaurant for a great dinner of four dishes. Not surprisingly, two weeks pass unnoticed. Nevertheless, unfortunately, we always have to leave.