Geography

Anaga massif below Chinamada, North East Tenerife

Photo: Rubén Barone Tosco

Gomera from Tenerife. Photo: John Caddick

The Canary Islands are part of Spain situated to the west of Morocco, the closest point being 95 km from the African coast. There are seven main islands and six islets with a total land area of 7,447 km2 and a population of 1.84 million. The major islands are Lanzarote and Fuerteventura in the east, Gran Canaria and Tenerife in the centre and Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro to the west. The main languages are Spanish and Castillan. The islands are formed by the tops of a volcanic mountain range lying beneath the Atlantic Ocean. The highest volcano, Tenerife's Mount Teide at 3,718 m is Spain's highest mountain. The climate is temperate throughout the year with mean temperatures ranging from 18°C in winter to 24°C in summer.

The Plains of Tiagua - Tinajo, Lanzarote

Photo: Rubén Barone Tosco

For birds like Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata and Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus

Last page update 24th March 2011