
http://www.bestofthecanaries.com//articles/canary-islands/history-of-the-canary-islands85.htm
Canary Islands, Span. Islas Canarias, group of seven islands (1990 pop. 1,589,403), 2,808 sq mi (7,273 sq km), autonomous region of Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean off Western Sahara. Read on for more facts about the fantastic islands of the Canaries!
Canary Islands, Span. Islas Canarias, group of seven islands (1990 pop. 1,589,403), 2,808 sq mi (7,273 sq km), autonomous region of Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean off Western Sahara.
They constitute two provinces of Spain. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1990 pop. 770,627), 1,239 sq mi (3,209 sq km), includes Tenerife, Palma, Gomera, and Hierro. Las Palmas (1990 pop. 818,776), 1,569 sq mi (4,064 sq km), includes Grand Canary, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. Fuerteventura is 67 mi (108 km) from the African coast.
The islands, of volcanic origin, are rugged; Mt. Teide (12,162 ft/3,707 m) is the highest point in Spain.
Wine was the main export of the Canaries until the grape blight of 1853; its place was taken by cochineal until aniline dyes came into general use. Today the leading exports are bananas, sugarcane, tomatoes, potatoes, and tobacco, which are grown where irrigation is possible.
There is fishing on the open seas, and the Canaries, with their subtropical climate and fine beaches, have become a major tourist center.
An oil refinery and other large-scale industries are located at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Pliny mentions an expedition to the Canaries c.40 B.C., and they may have been the Fortunate Islands of later classical writers.
They were occasionally visited by Arabs and by European travelers in the Middle Ages. Jean de Béthencourt, a Norman, settled at Lanzarote in 1402 and, with the support of the kingdom of Castile, became its king in 1404. The Treaty of Alcácovas (1479) between Portugal and Spain recognized Spanish sovereignty over the Canaries; conquest of the Guanches, the indigenous Berber inhabitants of the islands, was completed in 1496.
The islands became an important base for voyages to the Americas. The Canaries were frequently raided by pirates and privateers; Las Palmas beat off Francis Drake in 1595 but was ravaged by the Dutch in 1599. In the French Revolutionary Wars, Horatio Nelson was repulsed (1797) at Santa Cruz.
The Canary Islands became an autonomous region in 1982.
"Canary Islands." The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia University Press., 2003. Answers.com 01 Aug. 2006. http://www.answers.com/topic/canary-islands.
Brief introduction to Canary Islands historyCanary Islands, Span. Islas Canarias, group of seven islands (1990 pop. 1,589,403), 2,808 sq mi (7,273 sq km), autonomous region of Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean off Western Sahara. They constitute two provinces of Spain. Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1990 pop. 770,627), 1,239 sq mi (3,209 sq km),...
Plan Your Canary Island car hireWith rising gas prices, driving causes more headaches than it used to. When traveling, though, you may need to rely on a car rental. There are ways to save money if you plan well. Next time you?re looking for a quality, affordable car rental, consider the following: 1. A car rental at the airport...
Perro de Presa Canario - a Canary Island dog breedThe Canary Dog history includes the now extinct native dog of the Canary Islands, the Bardino Majorero, crossed with imported English Mastiffs. It is interesting to note that the Islands were not named for the little yellow singing bird known as the Canary, but rather for the fierce fighting dogs...
The Canary Island is a fantastic leisure destinationTravel and leisure is a sure thing for my family and me. I like a holiday cruise during the year. Great beaches, blue skies and nice people really give me the charge up I need when I get back to work. When I travel for leisure, the Canary Islands off Spain is never far from my mind. You can get...
Canary Island favorite beach vacationsWhen it comes to a great vacation, having a cruise with the family can be a great choice. And, if you’re pretty much like me, you’ll definitely enjoy a good holiday cruise anytime of the year, especially if it comes with great beaches, blue skies, and friendly people. One of my favorite...
Canary Islands, a tropical paradiseLocated off the northwestern coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, especially with Europeans. The seven main islands that make up the Canary Islands are well spaced out so that it is only a day’s sail between most of them. The...
The history of the Guanche populationMany years have passed since the Canary Islands were considered by Latin writers and Greek historians as the Garden of the Hesperides, the Fortunate Islands or the Elysian Fields. It was an attractive archipelago beacuse of its climate, the prosperity of its winds, the purity of its air, and the...
Escape to the Canary IslandsA chain of exotic volcanic islands off the coast of Africa that happens to receive about 10 million visitors a year has the kind of appeal that is difficult to ignore. There must be some wonderful sights to see and probably many fine vacation memories to be made in the Canary Islands, so take a...
Vacations in Tenerife, Lanzarote and FuerteventuraThe seven Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the north coast of Africa. They have been formed as a result of volcanic activity, which happened thousands of years ago to produce the islands we see today. The canaries are geographically split into two provinces. The western...
Duty Free: What You Need To KnowOne of the highlights of a holiday abroad is the opportunity to stock up on items such as cigarettes, alcohol and perfume - collectively known as "duty free" goods. Duty free items have no state, local or provincial taxes, federal import duties, or any other type of taxation added to...
Traditional christmas in the Canary IslandsHere we are in Easter Week and already, our visitors have shown that they are beginning to think of Christmas 2006 in the Canary Islands. Of course, one has to make travel plans in advance, so here are some ideas for you: Christmas week is said to be the busiest week of the entire year for tourism...
Protect yourself against pickpocketsWherever you travel today, you can be at the mercy of pickpockets. They can always be found wherever tourists congregate. Actually anywhere there’s large group of people, there are most probably pickpockets. Often they will work in groups of two or three, catching you completely off guard....
Canary Islands aborigines - the GuanchesThe Guanches are believed to be the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands. Where they came from is still uncertain, but they could actually be a mix of Berbers from the north of Africa, and scandinavian vikings. Written material from the spanish ‘conquistadores’ in the 15th century...
Canary Islands - the fortunate islandsIn Christopher Columbus’s time, the Canary Islands were believed to mark the end of the world. After being conquered by the Spanish in the 15th Century, the Canaries become a popular stopping point for explorers, traders and missionaries on their way to the Americas. The islands have also...
Avoid the Christmas stress - go to the Canary IslandsEvery year I vow to make christmas easier, simpler - less stressful. Have I ever? One year I tried forgetting christmas here in the UK and spent it in the Canary Islands. It was quite extraordinary really. Christmas day was spent around the pool. The staff brought round Christmas cake at various...
Canary Islands - sub-tropical vacation possibilitiesSeven islands make up the archipelago known as the Canary Islands. These are La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote. Because they are an autonomous region of Spain, many tourists do not realise that they lay in the Atlantic ocean, 750 miles south of...
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