Why are the Canary Islands called that? History of the Canary Islands. Spanish Civil War

The coat of arms of Spain depicts the Pillars of Hercules, which in ancient times the peoples of the Mediterranean considered the natural western border of the inhabited world. There, in the west, the sun was setting. There was nothing there but a menacing and dangerous desert of waters...
And on the coat of arms of Spain there is a proud motto: “Plus Ultra” - “Beyond the Limit”, as a memory of those times when the country owned the territories located just beyond those very Pillars of Hercules. Even today, Spain is the cultural metropolis of the vast Latin America that lies across the Atlantic Ocean, almost entirely Spanish-speaking.

So, in those proud times, ships leaving Spanish ports for America did not turn strictly to the west, which, it would seem, should have shortened the route. They sailed a south-west course along the coast of Africa for several days in order to land at the Canary Islands. This was done both in order to test the ship and crew, and in order to replenish food and water supplies in the Canaries before the long ocean crossing.
This is how flights to other planets are now planned. The spacecraft is first launched into low-Earth orbit, and from there it “jumps” into interplanetary space. Thus, for several centuries the Canary Islands were something like the current orbital space station: there is already an ocean around, but it is still not far from reliable land.

Today, it is primarily the numerous tourists who are enjoying it. The Canary Islands are now a popular resort located in African latitudes, but with European class service. It’s nice to soak in the pool and look over its edge at the Atlantic Ocean stretching to the horizon. It's nice to live in a five-star hotel surrounded by black rocks, reminiscent of the fact that a formidable volcano once erupted here.
The Canary Islands are volcanic in origin, and on the island of Palma there is still an active volcano. Volcanologists claim that it is in a dormant state, but if it suddenly wakes up, it will not seem like much to anyone, even to distant America. The eruption and accompanying earthquake will cause a tsunami wave thirty meters high, which, moving almost at the speed of an airplane, will cover the East Coast of the United States in eight hours.

It’s also nice to feel like you’re abandoned to the ends of the earth. After all, the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain, are the westernmost point of the European Union. And the westernmost point in the Canaries is the western coast of Hierro Island. In principle, it was here that some kind of triumphal arch should have been erected, and “Plus Ultra” should have been written on it in large letters.
The ancient Romans knew about the existence of these islands. They gave them the name “Canariae Insulae” - “Isles of Dogs”. There were a lot of dogs here, and the dogs were big. The Roman writer Plinius Maior (23 – 79) wrote about this in his book Natural History. True, Pliny himself did not visit the Canary Islands, but he refers to the evidence of the Moorish king Yuba II (52 BC - 23), who made an expedition here and, in fact, brought dogs from here.

So the Canary Islands were named after dogs, but the small birds that were found here in abundance were called “canaries” after the islands. Canaries are a local, island breed of finches, distant relatives of sparrows and siskins. In the 16th century, the Spaniards began to export them from the island and sell them: the birds sang beautifully. For some time, canaries were a strategic commodity. To prevent them from reproducing, only males were sold. Even the name of the birds was kept secret, they said that they were brought from South America. But she sewed in a bag, and you can’t hide a canary in the Canaries. The birds spread throughout Europe and very soon became pets. By the way, the canary is one of the domestic animals that Darwin took as an example when discussing the origin of species.

Selection of canaries was carried out in two directions at once. Firstly, they changed the color of the plumage from the original green-brown to that bright yellow that we now call “canary”. And secondly, more singing, more sonorous breeds were bred. It is interesting that the exterior of canaries was mainly studied in “frivolous” France, and, so to speak, the internal content – ​​in “substantial” Germany and Tyrol. No one has yet succeeded in breeding the blue canary. The name of the well-known song “Blue Canary” should be translated as “Sad Canary”. The English word “blue” also has this meaning. In Russia, before the revolution, canaries were loved and willingly bought for fun and comfort in the home. And after the revolution, the yellow songbird, along with the harmless geranium (by the way, a good folk remedy for pathogenic microbes and mosquitoes in the house) was accused of philistinism. The proletarian poet pronounced a harsh sentence on her:

Quickly turn the heads of the canaries so that communism is not beaten by the canaries! (V. Mayakovsky)

After which he immediately gave his beloved Lilya Brik a cage with a canary. For fun and comfort in the house, as already mentioned. In the 16th century, canaries from the Canary Islands “flew” to Europe. And in the opposite direction, to South America, sugar cane “started” from here almost at the same time. The fact is that the homeland of this useful plant is Southeast Asia and India. In the 12th century it appeared in Europe. The Arabs brought it here and began to grow it in Egypt. The Spaniards discovered that this plant takes root very well in the Canaries. So by the time of Columbus’s expeditions to the newly discovered countries there was something to take out.

Which country does the Canary Islands belong to? In ancient times, the archipelago was inhabited by Guanche tribes, who, before the arrival of Europeans, cultivated the land and were engaged in cattle breeding. In 1334, French sailors visited the islands, and the natives 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, represented by Pope Clement VI, presented the Canary Islands to Count Alfonso XI, the ruler of Castile, the largest province on the island. For some time, it became clear who owned the Canary Islands. However, Alfonso XI did not know what to do with such a gift. The aborigines did not bring any economic benefit, and on the contrary, the ruler was now obliged to improve life on the islands. The count did not dare to give up the archipelago directly, but he tried, through complex negotiations, to transfer his ownership rights to other hands. The question of who owns the Canary Islands is literally hanging in the air.

Who is the boss anyway?

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

Half a century later, the French decided to capture the islands. Military ships proceeded along the West African coast, which then approached two islands in the center of the archipelago - Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The local population weakly resisted the annexation.

In Gran Canaria, French troops celebrated their victory a few days later, and in Tenerife it happened a little later. This was followed by periodic landings on the Canary Islands by conquerors of all stripes, from Moroccan soldiers to the English admiral Robert Blake, who spent a brilliant time near the island of Tenerife in 1657, engaging in battle with the Spanish Armada. He emerged victorious from this confrontation, but the islands nevertheless went to Spain.

140 years later, the famous Admiral Nelson tried to capture Tenerife, but the capital of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz, stood in his way, and he was defeated. Eventually the British abandoned their imperial ambitions.

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

Archipelago today

What are the Canary Islands - a country, a province or some special structure? The geographical position of the archipelago indicates its conditional affiliation with mainland Spain, however, the islands have complete and unconditional autonomy.

The Canary Islands are a country when it comes to social infrastructure and the availability of services necessary to maintain law and order. These are the police, courts and legal institutions. Although, on the other hand, all of the listed services are practically inactive, since the Canaries are a super-tourism zone, millions of travelers come to the blessed land to relax, have fun and temporarily forget about the hardships of civilization. In this case, no one breaks the laws.

Geography

The Canary Islands are located just one hundred kilometers from the African continent and seven hundred kilometers from the coast of Spain. The archipelago adjoins Africa from the northwest (at the junction of Western Sahara and Morocco).

There are only seven Greater Canary Islands. The closest island to the African coast is Lanzarote, the next island is Fuerteventura, then there is Gran Canaria, followed by Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and Hierro. These are the largest volcanic formations, but there are many more minor ones.

A list that includes the most popular Canary Islands, a map of their location, directions, etc. - all this information can be obtained from tourist offices in Spain or upon 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 calm, measured holiday, and Gran Canaria is a paradise for surfers and divers. For tourists arriving in the Canary Islands, a map and guides will help them navigate in choosing the best holiday destination. There are also hotels for every taste - more expensive, more comfortable, economy class hotels with reasonable prices.

It is difficult to say how many Canary Islands there are in the archipelago; an exact count has not been carried out. However, it is known that not all of them are inhabited. At one time, municipal authorities even opened the sale of small islands. Those who wished could purchase a small piece of land in the ocean at a reasonable price. Trade was brisk until Spanish authorities on the mainland intervened. The capital of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was then forced to transfer 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 is Gran Canaria. These islands are distinguished by their developed infrastructure, high-quality hotels, and excellent entertainment complexes for both adults and children.

The Canary Islands, photos of which are presented in the article, have long become one of the best places for active recreation. Tourists are attracted by the opportunity to choose and impeccable service.

Landscape

The Canary Islands, the photos of which are amazing, are volcanic formations that appeared above the water millions of years ago. Until now, on the surface you can observe bizarre landscapes with solidified lava, adjacent to long sand dunes, reminiscent of Luxurious beaches washed by ocean waves, and immediately behind them begin hotel complexes with palm alleys. The warm breeze from the sea moves the green branches of the trees, vacationers feel unity with nature, and this happens throughout the day. When the time comes to part with the Canaries, no one wants to leave. The charm of this paradise remains in the memory for a long time, until your next visit.

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 mix with ocean air masses. The result is a kind of airy cocktail, cool and comfortable, which spreads throughout the Canary Islands. Air masses are continuously renewed. The climate is also moderated by a permanent anticyclone over the Azores, located northwest of the archipelago.

Temperatures in the Canary Islands remain stable all year round. It is 20-30 in summer, 16-25 degrees Celsius in winter. Throughout the year, there is a relative influence of mountains and hills on climatic conditions, but temperature changes are insignificant, they do not exceed 2-3 degrees. Temperature changes occur mainly on the highest Canary Islands - Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma. The climate in the rest of the archipelago remains virtually unchanged.

The water temperature in the area of ​​the islands in question is about 20 degrees Celsius. Equilibrium is achieved due to the Canary Current - quite cold, but slow. In general, the temperature regime on the islands is very comfortable and stable. The climate in the Canaries can be briefly described as follows: warm and sunny.

For tourists who come to the Canary Islands in winter, the weather in December is not much different from spring - it’s just as warm. Of course, the sudden change in climatic conditions within one day is impressive.

The Canary Islands (the weather in December is warmer than in summer in Moscow) continue to amaze visitors. The popularity of the world-famous resort has long known no bounds; millions of tourists from all continents fly to the Reina Sophia international airport and choose the island where they will spend unforgettable days.

Canary Islands. Sights, beaches

The natural attraction of the islands in question are the beaches, superbly equipped, covered with golden sand or black basalt pebbles. There are shower stalls around the perimeter, sun loungers are located everywhere in even rows, and there are wide sun umbrellas. At special kiosks you can purchase diving equipment, fins, masks and other attributes for scuba diving.

City of Los Vinos

This is the oldest settlement on the island of Tenerife. The main city attraction is the thousand-year-old Dragon Tree. Visitors to the ancient convent of San Augustine will walk through the monastic cells, get acquainted with the life of the novices, and communicate with the abbess. Then you can visit the Church of San Marcos and a garden with colonies of tropical butterflies of fabulous beauty.

Loro Park

Initially these were aviaries with parrots. Nowadays this place is even more amazing. Now the park contains the rarest breeds of tropical parrots, which coexist with orchids that bloom all year round, planted throughout the territory (the most beautiful specimens can be admired in the Orchid House). Also in Loro Park there is a huge aquarium with a whale shark, dolphins, sea lions and other inhabitants of the ocean. A special place is occupied by the penguinarium with an artificial arctic climate.

Teide Park

This is a high-mountain entertainment complex located at an altitude of two thousand meters. The temperature there remains at forty degrees Celsius. In the center of the park is the crater of an extinct volcano, the diameter of which is 48 kilometers. You can get to its top by lift (climbers climb on foot).

Hell's Gulch

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 streams is called Hell's Gorge. Tourists can experience the full power of the unbridled elements by going under the rock from which the waterfall falls.

Guimara Pyramids

These are religious buildings, repeating man-made elevations in Peru, Mexico and ancient Mesopotamia. At first, the pyramids in Guimara were mistaken for piles of stones piled up by Spanish settlers when clearing land for plowing. However, later a group of researchers, among whom was the famous traveler, came to the conclusion that the six piles of stones are nothing more than pyramids.

In addition, in the Guimara Park there is a museum of ethnography "Chaconne House", which exhibits a life-size architectural model of the palace of King Ra II.

Giant's Cliffs

Huge sections of the coast of the island of Tenerife are occupied by grandiose rocks, closely standing close to the water, and in some places - ledges descending into the ocean. The rocks are considered sacred; their constant desire to plunge into the abyss is similar to a divine ritual.

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

Anaga Mountains

The magnificent hills of Tenerife offer a vast botanical world. The mountain plateaus called Anaga are an example of ecological purity. There you can meet local residents living in caves.

The Canary Islands, whose attractions rank with world masterpieces of nature and ethnography, attract millions of tourists. Airlines are operating at full capacity, with planes landing and taking off every minute.

Seven islands as seven wonders of the world

A wonderful and unique archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and its pearl - the island of Tenerife. Spain, the Canary Islands are the best holiday destination in the whole world.

Lanzarote is an island of dormant volcanoes. Entire fields of solidified lava, unusual landscapes on the plains and mountain slopes, multi-colored petrified streams recreate picturesque panels of extraordinary beauty. Lanzarote's Timanfaya National Park can be perceived as a permanent vernissage of natural art. And the hotel infrastructure seamlessly merges with natural scenery. The island of Lanzarote is a biosphere reserve surrounded by unspoilt nature and a volcanic landscape.

Fuerteventura is an island with an endless suite of magnificent virgin beaches, completely empty, allowing you to enjoy the ocean views 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 turquoise. The island is ideal for those who prefer a romantic pastime, a vacation away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. Throughout the day you can feel like Robinson, staying in silence and complete solitude, and in the evening return to a comfortable hotel for dinner.

It is famous not only for its magnificent golden beaches, but also for its extensive infrastructure. Adding to the overall picture of prosperity is the nature of the island, striking in its diversity. Deep forested ravines alternate with green peaks, and everything comes together in a grandiose panorama. The central part of the island of Gran Canaria is covered with a luxurious carpet of vegetation, in the south there are gentle shores with beaches, and in the north, cliffs rise into the sky, bordering small coves with azure water. Any sport is held in high esteem on the island - horse riding, golf and tennis, fishing and spearfishing.

Tenerife

The largest and most comfortable island. Its nature is unique, the variety of relief is amazing. In the center is the snow cap of Teide, in the north there are green areas, the southern part is all golden sand, the beaches are lined up in a neat row. The island of Tenerife has a unique tourism infrastructure, there are restaurants serving national cuisines from almost all countries of the world, health centers, sports and gyms, and all kinds of excursions on land and sea are organized. All this makes your holiday in Tenerife unforgettable.

Homer

An island famous for its relict vegetation. The natural exoticism of La Gomera is available to tourists arriving from Tenerife by ferry.

La Palma

The most blooming and green of all the islands of the Canary archipelago. The infrastructure is poorly developed, but La Palma has ample opportunities for rural tourism. Lovers of rural landscapes 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 - this is how Hierro is characterized. Those who want to be far from civilization cannot find a better place.

The Canary Islands are covered in myths and legends. Many writers connect them with the disappeared continent of Atlantis. Plato believed that this rich, fertile region was once located west of Gibraltar in the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantis was destroyed by earthquakes and tsunamis about 12 thousand years ago. After the cataclysm, only the mountain peaks of Atlantis remained above the surface of the sea, which formed seven islands. Why not Canary? The ancient Greeks called the Canary Islands the Gardens of the Hesperides, and the Romans called them the Happy Islands.

Plutarch wrote about fertile lands near the coast of Africa, where spring winds always blow. It was based on the words of the Roman military leader Sertorius, who heard about the islands from a traveler. In the 1st century n. e. Pliny noted that the Moorish king Yuba II organized an expedition to the islands. The travelers saw many dogs on the banks. Canis means "dog" in Latin, hence the name Canary Islands.

Islands have sparked the imagination of people for centuries - from Plato to Jules Verne. Both academic studies and science fiction novels have been written about them. The truth is lost in the mists of time, but the seven volcanic islands have always been shrouded in a magical, magical flair. Once you see the outline of Mount Teide on the horizon, you will immediately understand where these tales and legends come from.

First inhabitants

Long before the arrival of the first Europeans, all seven main Canary Islands were already inhabited. The Guanche tribe lived here. Translated from the local language, “Guanche” means “man”. Strictly speaking, this name refers only to residents of Tenerife, but it has come to be used for residents of the entire archipelago.

The Guanches appeared on the islands in the 1st or 2nd century. BC e. They came from North Africa. Ethnographers believe that these were Cro-Magnons who belonged to the proto-Mediterranean race. The Guanches were tall, light-skinned people, often with blue eyes and blond hair. You can get acquainted with these people at the wonderful Canarian Museum in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The exhibition introduces the special Guanche prejudices associated with death. Like the ancient Egyptians, they carefully embalmed their dead in preparation for their ritual passage to the next world. Scientists have discovered mysterious rock inscriptions that explain these rituals, but so far no one has found the Canarian Rosetta Stone to decipher them.

The Guanches lived in caves, although many of the caves that survive today were used solely for storing supplies. For example, Cenobio de Valeron near Galdar in Gran Canaria, although called a monastery, was most likely just a grain warehouse. Living in caves in such a climate is a logical idea, since they are cool in summer and warmer in winter than any hut. Even today there are many inhabited caves on the island.

The Guanches left us a wonderful legacy that can still be seen today in markets and local eateries. This is gofio, a finely ground and roasted flour that is widely used in Canarian cuisine. The Guanche language lives on in names such as Tafira or Tamadaba in Gran Canaria, Timanfaya in Lanzarote, Teide in Tenerife and in the name Tenerife itself.

Conquistadors

The first strangers to the Canaries were Arab sailors who landed on Gran Canaria about 2,000 years ago. The Guanches greeted them very warmly. And in subsequent centuries, the islanders were very hospitable. Unfortunately, their hospitality came at a cost.

Europeans landed on the islands in the 14th century. The Genoese sailor Lanzarotto Marcello colonized the island, which at that time was called Titeroigatra, and later received the name Lanzarote. Following in Lanzarotto's footsteps came slave traders, treasure hunters and missionaries. But the European conquest of the Canary Islands really began only in 1402. That year, the army of the Norman baron Jean de Betancourt, who was in the service of the Castilian king Henry III, landed on the island. The baron captured Lanzarote and Fuerteventura quite easily, but near Gran Canaria his ships were scattered by a storm. Betancourt turned towards El Hierro, where the amazed islanders greeted the Europeans, who arrived on huge sailing ships, as gods. Betancourt “repaid” them for their hospitality: by inviting local residents onto one of his ships, he captured them and sold them into slavery.

Around the same time, the Portuguese, who also colonized the Atlantic, paid attention to the Canary Islands. The two powers fought fierce naval battles. At the end of the war, a treaty was concluded between Portugal and Castile, which ended Lisbon's attempts to capture the Happy Islands. By order of the Castilian rulers Ferdinand and Isabella, the second stage of colonization of the islands began. By 1483, Gran Canaria was conquered, and in 1488, La Gomera. La Palma held out until 1493. After two years of fierce fighting, Tenerife fell, and the entire archipelago fell into the hands of the Spaniards. The process of pacification and conversion to Christianity continued for almost a hundred years. All these years, a real guerrilla war was raging on the islands. The Guanches were brave warriors, but could not resist the well-armed Spaniards.

Columbus's voyages

When the conquest of the Canary Islands was in full swing, Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon in Spanish) began planning his voyage. He was going to open a sea route to India. Each of the islands of the archipelago considers itself connected with Columbus. The great traveler's caravels stopped in the Canaries, since these islands were considered the westernmost point of the modern world and were the last stop on the way to the unknown.

The great navigator stopped at La Gomera. His ships were being repaired in Las Palmas in 1492. He described the volcanic eruption in Tenerife. Its sailors considered the eruption a bad omen, but, as history has shown, after passing El Hierro, the caravels did not fall off the earth's disk at all. You can get acquainted with the history of Columbus's voyages and the traveler's connections with the Canary Islands in the wonderful Columbus House in Las Palmas.

Wine and war

The first export product of the Canary Islands was sugar. Sugar production was easy on the islands. In the first half of the 16th century. A rapidly developing industry emerged. But Canarian sugar soon replaced cheaper sugar from Brazil and the Antilles. Sugar production in the Canaries simply died.

But trade ties between the Old and New Worlds had already been established, and wine became a new product of trade.

The grapes have taken root well on the volcanic soil. Tenerife began to produce a rich, full-bodied wine - Malvasia. This drink quickly became fashionable among European aristocrats. Shakespeare and Voltaire highly valued Canary wines. Today, tourists arriving on the islands flock to bodegas, restaurants and even supermarkets to buy excellent wines. As you travel around the islands, you will often see abandoned ancient wine presses (lagares) on the hillsides.

By the end of the 18th century. The Canary Islands turned into a major trading center that everyone wanted to own. In 1797, Admiral Horace Nelson attacked Santa Cruz de Tenerife in an attempt to capture a Spanish treasure ship. The city's defenders resisted with all their might. The attack cost the lives of 226 British sailors, and the admiral himself lost an arm. However, the residents of Santa Cruz do not have negative feelings towards Admiral Nelson. When it became known that the English ships were retreating, they sent him wine as a gift. Nelson returned the favor and sent the governor cheese and a keg of beer. Captured British flags are kept in a glass case in the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción.

Free trade

By the beginning of the 19th century. the inhabitants of the Canary Islands turned into real Spaniards - both in appearance and in nationality. Many volunteers from the islands fought during the struggle for independence, which ended in 1814 with the accession of Ferdinand VII.

But in the 1870s. Chemical dyes appeared, and the need for cochineal dried up. The Spanish government considered itself obliged to support the Canarian economy. In the middle of the 19th century. By royal decree, one port on each island was declared a duty-free trade zone (Tenerife has two). Low taxes and no trade barriers had the desired effect. Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas have become the busiest ports in the world. British entrepreneurs have invested huge amounts of money in the development of the port of Las Palmas.

The last monoculture of the islands was bananas. They were first exported in the 1880s, but the First World War put an end to trade. However, small sweet bananas continued to be grown on the islands as long as mainland Spain remained a guaranteed market.

In 1912, the islands had their own parliament, which began to deal with social, political and economic issues. Parliament cooperated very closely with local authorities. In 1927, the islands were divided into two provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which included Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which included the eastern islands Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Spanish Civil War

The conspiracy that started the Spanish Civil War originated in the Canary Islands. In 1936, a group of officers dissatisfied with the policies of the Republican government met secretly in the forests of La Esperanza in Tenerife. They were led by Francisco Franco, a right-wing nationalist whom the government sent to the Canaries in the hope that he would do less harm on the islands. From the Canary Islands, Franco went to North Africa, where he prepared the invasion. Three years later, his army won a triumphant victory over the Republicans. A million Spaniards died during the civil war.

The Canaries did not escape the horrors of the war (thousands of Republicans were shot in Barranco del Inferno - Hell's Gorge - on Tenerife), but in general the islands prospered during the dictatorship. This period lasted until Franco's death in 1975.

Tourism and environmental protection

In the 1960s Tourism began to actively develop on the islands. Sometimes this led to a complete change in the landscape, as happened in Playa de las Americas in Tenerife or Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria, which turned into real gold rush towns. However, such cities, although they created the Canary Islands’ reputation as a center of mass tourism, remained the exception. Vast areas on the most well-developed islands remained virtually undeveloped. And on islands such as La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, tourism has only begun to develop in recent years. But tourism has greatly contributed to the improvement of infrastructure and transport systems on the islands.

After Franco's death, a constitutional monarchy was restored in Spain and King Juan Carlos I ascended the throne. However, the subsequent decolonization of Western Sahara led to thousands of people returning to the Canary Islands, causing social and market problems.

In 1978, a new constitution of Spain was adopted, which enshrined democratic norms. The constitution paved the way for greater regional autonomy. In 1982, the Canary Islands received autonomy. The central government has delegated many functions to local government. The islands have two capitals: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (the capital moves every four years). Each island has its own council. Council members are elected by general election every four years. In 1986, Spain joined the European Union, which ended the Canary Islands' duty-free status. However, the islands managed to negotiate some relief for themselves. The islands finally joined the European Union in 1995.

Despite the economic benefits of tourism, local authorities are wary of uncontrolled development. They are also not happy about the islands' unpleasant reputation as a drinkers' paradise. Recently, emphasis has been placed on a new image of the tourism industry. The ancient roads (caminos rurales) in the central mountains of Gran Canaria and north-eastern Tenerife have opened for tourists. Financial assistance from the European Union helps develop rural tourism - new hotels are opening in the central parts of the islands, old houses and farms are being converted for tourists. Eco-tourism is actively developing on the islands, which attracts nature lovers here.

When mainland Spain introduced immigration restrictions in 2005, the Canaries welcomed a new type of visitor - illegal immigrants from North Africa. According to some estimates, in 2006, 25 thousand people made the dangerous journey from the coast of Africa. Many drowned and died of thirst. Another problem for the islands is the forest fires that raged in Tenerife and Gran Canaria in 2007. Strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity led to the fire engulfing more than 24 thousand hectares. More than 11 thousand people had to be evacuated.

All these events have led to the fact that the Canary Islands are now perceived differently, and not just as a holiday destination for Europeans who flock here in search of sun, sand and fun.

At the moment we are traveling exclusively to the European islands. But I hope one day we will get to Asia.

And just like that, the Canary Islands are one of our favorite destinations - the Spanish Islands off the very coast of Africa. My husband just loves them. I admit, I did not immediately develop tender feelings for them. But when I got into it, I realized how much they attracted me.

We visited 4 Canary Islands - Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria And Lanzarote. We also visited a tiny Graciose, but it is considered a satellite island of Lanzarote. Three left. And I think we will visit them too. Why do we like the Canaries so much?

We have at least 5 reasons for this.

5 reasons to visit the Canary Islands

• 1.Climate

The Canary Islands are called the islands of eternal spring. They received such a poetic name due to their wonderful climate, suitable for travelers to visit all year round. The air here rarely drops below 18 degrees, on average it fluctuates around 25 degrees, and the water in the ocean rarely exceeds 23, and on average is 20 degrees. And so all year round. Of course, there are cyclones that bring cold currents or cold air. But these are rather exceptions. The same as they are everywhere.

We visited 4 islands at different times. So we visited Tenerife in September, Fuerteventura in late May-early June, Gran Canaria in mid-January, and flew to Lanzarote in October. We swam and even lay in the sun on each of our trips. Lanzarote in October turned out to be the warmest. For several days the air temperature warmed up to +38. And even in the evening it did not fall below 32 degrees. I can’t describe how wonderful it was to swim in the evening ocean and lie on the hot sand in the twilight. The water was about 21 degrees. In Fuerteventura in June it was about the same as in Gran Canaria in January. In the evenings we threw on blouses. And for a long, long time they could not enter the water even at lunchtime. But in the dunes that both of these islands boast, it was very hot. Windy, but really hot. Tenerife in September had quite acceptable warm temperatures for both swimming and walking.

So we can definitely say that any season is suitable for traveling to the Canaries if you want to swim and enjoy the sun.

The only thing that is important to consider is that each of the islands still has its own specifics. For example, Fuerteventura is named so because of the constant strong winds, and in winter they can be even stronger. But when planning a trip to Tenerife in winter, it is better to choose the southern part of the island, because in the north there may be clouds and rain during this period. But, for example, during the 12 days of our stay in Gran Canaria in January it rained only once. And then only in the eastern part of the island, which we just went to that day. The rest of the days were filled with bright sunshine. So before traveling, you should still get a little familiar with the geography of these islands in order to choose the most suitable place for a particular season.

• 2.Ocean

Whatever one may say, the ocean is something completely special and amazing. Yes, you can, of course, say what difference it makes - the sea or the ocean. It seems like nothing. But when you find yourself face to face with the ocean, you realize that there is still a difference. This is such power, energy, strength. This greatness is breathtaking. And just a trip to the Canaries is a fairly easy and budget way to see the ocean. Atlantic. Admire the huge waves. Listen to the crazy noise they make when they hit the rocks. Feel the grandeur of the world around us.

• 3.Atmosphere

I have already talked a little about the atmosphere of the island of Lanzarote in a small

Of course, each island has its own flavor and energy, but what is inherent in all the Canary Islands, in my opinion, is a unique feeling of freedom and lightness. And at the same time such a distance from civilization. Even in the city, resort, capital of the island, there is a feeling of some kind of primordial, wildness. Even exotic. And this is very touching, catchy. I want to return to this. Drink in it. Fill.

• 4.Tropical fruits

As a vegetarian and fruit lover, I can’t keep quiet about this. All over the Canary Islands you can find amazing tropical fruits at absolutely reasonable, and sometimes even ridiculous, prices. Moreover, these fruits are local. They are grown mainly in the northern Orozava valley in Tenerife. But they are sold on all islands. My favorites include delicious papaya, mango, Canary bananas, dragon fruit and avocado.

In Tenerife we ​​even managed to try some absolutely amazing and very tasty type of mango. So small, no bigger than a ripe plum. But at the same time sweet and not fibrous.

And I tried the most delicious avocado in my life in Gran Canaria. On one of the observation decks with a stunning view of the mountains and valley there was a small truck from which a bright, noisy Spanish woman was spontaneously selling fruit. It was difficult to pass by. Not only were the prices lower than store prices, but also the beautiful looking fruit. I opted for avocado. I picked up several of these ordinary, small ones, like those sold everywhere, and asked how much they would cost. She looked at me like I was crazy and said they weren't avocados and just put them aside. I was surprised. She rummaged through the drawers and brought out an avocado the size of a small melon. I've never seen such a big one before. This is an avocado, she told me. She weighed it and named the price. And I threw into the bag for free those small undersized avocados that I had chosen. Compared to those huge avocados, they really weren't avocados. At home I cut this huge fruit. It turned out to be so ripe that the seed was already beginning to sprout. Oh, how delicious it was! And satisfying!

• 5.Prices

Among other things, the Canary Islands also have excellent prices. For all. From housing to food. And what is important is for car rental. There are no such low prices and transparent conditions for car rental as with local Canarian companies anywhere (I’m talking about other European islands). So budget-friendly and convenient for concluding an agreement and returning the car that you should at least highlight them as a separate item. True, my husband is ready to travel to the Canaries only because renting a car there is quick, economical and does not require unnecessary difficulties and costs. Well, gasoline prices there are lower than on other islands.

It is important to point out here that the Canaries are a tax-free trade zone. And therefore many goods are cheaper there. Even technology and equipment.

And if, for example, we compare prices in cafes/restaurants of approximately the same level in the Canaries and the Balearics (also Spanish islands), then the average bill in the Canaries will be 1.5 times cheaper. Renting a car will cost almost twice as much.

In fact, there are many more reasons to visit the Canaries. These are volcanoes, and dunes, and delicious Canarian cuisine, and friendly locals, and a delicious “cafe cortado”, and exoticism, and black sand on the beaches, and much, much more. And I will be happy to explore the remaining three islands of the Canary archipelago.