Information Canary Islands - Canaries

(Spanish, Islas Canarias), group of islands and autonomous region, Spain, in the Atlantic Ocean, off the north-western coast of Africa, comprising the provinces of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Their capitals are, respectively, Las Palmas on Grand Canary and Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Tenerife Island; the cities also serve as dual and alternative capitals of the region. The chief islands of the group, in descending order of size, are Tenerife; Fuerteventura, the nearest to the African mainland; Grand Canary (Gran Canaria); Lanzarote; La Palma; Gomera; and Hierro. In addition, several barren islets are included in the group. The total land area of the islands is 7,273 sq km (2,808 sq mi).

The islands are of volcanic origin. Of the volcanic peaks, the highest is the dormant Pico de Teide, or Pico de Tenerife (3,718 m/12,198 ft). The Canaries are noted for their scenery and mild, dry climate, which makes them an ideal site for astronomical observation. The observatory sited at 2,423 m (7,950 ft) on Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma, is the home of some of the world's most important telescopes, including the 4 m (165 in) William Herschel telescope. Precipitation occurs mainly during the winter season. In areas below about 400 m (1,300 ft) elevation, the vegetation is typically northern African; characteristic varieties are the date palm, dragon tree, and cactus. Growing at higher levels are laurels, holly, myrtle, eucalyptus, pine, and a variety of flowering plants.

Farming and fishing are the principal industries. The volcanic soil of the Canaries is extremely fertile. The islands have no rivers, however, and severe droughts are common; artificial irrigation is therefore a necessity in most cultivable areas. Among important crops are bananas, citrus fruits, sugar cane, peaches, figs, wine grapes, grain, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Manufactured products include textiles and fine embroideries. Tourism is also important, and the islands are a popular winter-resort area. The population of the islands (1991) is 1,493,784.

In the view of some authorities, the Canaries are the Fortunatae Insulae of antiquity. The islands were probably known to the Phoenicians and Carthaginians. As described by the Roman scholar Pliny, large numbers of wild dogs (Latin, canes), roamed the islands, which he therefore named Canaria. Arab mariners reached the group in the 12th century, and it was visited in 1334 by French navigators. Pope Clement VI awarded the islands to Castile in 1344. The French mariner Jean de Beth�ncourt began the conquest of the islands in 1402 and was made king of the Canaries in 1404 by the Castilian ruler Henry III. Claimed by Portugal, the islands were recognized as Spanish possessions by a treaty negotiated in 1479. Spanish conquest of the islands was completed by the late 1490s. The indigenous population, the Guanche, a Berber people, eventually became extinct.

The Canaries, previously a single province, were divided into two provinces in 1927.

Henry III (of Castile and Le�n) (1379-1406), king of Castile and Le�n (1390-1406), the son and successor of King John I. Although at the beginning of his reign the country was plagued with continual disorder and violent anti-Semitism, Henry was soon able to placate the nobility and restore royal authority. He won victories over the English at sea, and the conquest of the Canary Islands began under his sponsorship in 1402.

Las Palmas (officially Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), city and port in the Canary Islands, north-eastern Grand Canary Island, capital of Las Palmas Province, Spain. The port of Las Palmas is a major supply and fuelling station for transatlantic vessels. Its chief industries are tourism, fishing, and fish processing; the principal exports are foodstuffs and tobacco. Las Palmas, founded in 1478, contains a cathedral begun in the same year and a house visited by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Population (1991) 342,030.

Hamite, group of peoples, originally of northern and north-eastern Africa and the Canary Islands. Anthropologists are in dispute about the precise ethnological definition of the Hamite; they generally define the group as including the following: the Berber of North Africa; the Fula, Tuareg, and Tibbu of the Sudan; the ancient Egyptians; the major Ethiopian peoples; and the Guanche, an extinct people of the Canary Islands. Traditionally, the Hamite were agricultural peoples. They are credited with originating the oldest extant writing in the world, the hieroglyphic inscriptions of the ancient Egyptians, and were the earliest engineers and architects to work in massive stone.

Tenerife or Teneriffe (ancient Pintuaria), island, Spain, largest of the Canary Islands, forming part of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province. Located in the Atlantic Ocean off the north-western coast of Africa, north-west of Cape Bojador, the island extends about 97 km (60 mi) in length and ranges from 48 km (30 mi) to 16 km (10 mi) in width, with an area of 2,059 sq km (795 sq mi). Several small rivers originate in the mountains of the island. In the north-eastern part of the island is Pinar de la Esperanza, a forest of eucalyptus and pine. The volcanic mountain Pico de Teide (3,718 m/12,198 ft high) occupies the main portion of the island. The soil is fertile, and agricultural products include dates, coconut palms, fruit, grain, maize, tomatoes, cotton, sugar, and grapes. Tourism is important to the economy. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, capital of the province, is the largest city and principal seaport of Tenerife. The next largest town is La Laguna. The population of the island (1986) is 759,388. The name Tenerife means "snowcapped mountain" in Guanche. In June 1936 Francisco Franco and other army officers met on Tenerife to plan the Nationalist rebellion that sparked the Spanish Civil War.

Nelson led a rash attack by small boats on the town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, a Spanish possession; the attack failed, and Nelson received a wound in the right arm that resulted in its amputation. 

The modest expedition consisted of the Santa Mar�a, a decked ship about 35 m (115 ft) long under his command, and the Pinta and the Ni�a, two small caravels, each about 15 m (50 ft) long, which were commanded by Mart�n Alonzo Pinz�n and his brother Vicente Y��ez Pinz�n. The fleet sailed from Palos, Spain, on August 3, 1492, carrying perhaps 90 men. Three days out, the mast of the Pinta was damaged, forcing a brief stop at the Canary Islands.

After the Popular Front election victory on February 19, 1936, he vainly tried to prevent the left taking power, and was sent to the Canary Islands as military commander. Before leaving Spain, he joined a group of senior generals plotting a rising but dithered before finally joining the military coup of July 18, 1936.

Gran Canaria
Pronunciation: [gran canarya]Grand Canary
28�00N 15�35W; Area: 1532 km2 / 591 mi2. Volcanic Atlantic island in the Canary Islands highest point, Pozo de las Nieves (1980 m / 6496 ft); steep cliffs in N and W; wide beaches in S, with tourist facilities; chief town, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; sugar cane, distilling, tobacco, chemicals, light engineering; airport on the E coast.

Las Palmas (de Gran Canaria)
Population: (1995e) 756 000; Area: 4072 sq km/1572 sq mi. Spanish province in the Canary Is, comprising the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura; tourism, shipyards, mineral water, cement, livestock, textiles, fruit and vegetables, metal products, food processing; capital, Las Palmas (de Gran Canaria), Population: (1995e) 345 000, resort and seaport (Puerto de la Luz); airport; tourism, trade in sugar, tomatoes, bananas; Columbus's House, cathedral, hermitage of San Telmo, Church of San Francisco; Los Reyes Magos (Jan), Winter Festival (Feb�Mar), Festival of Spain (Apr�May).

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