Canarias

Canaries, commonly known as the Canary Islands, are an autonomous community and archipelago of Spain located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa. The archipelago comprises seven principal islands—Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro—plus several islets. Administratively they are divided into two provinces, Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with two de facto capitals: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria serves as the capital of the Las Palmas province and Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province and of the autonomous community.

Geography and environment: The islands are of volcanic origin. Mount Teide on Tenerife is Spain’s highest peak, at 3,718 meters, and Teide National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Garajonay National Park on La Gomera is another UNESCO site. The archipelago exhibits diverse microclimates and habitats, ranging from arid regions in parts of Fuerteventura to humid northern areas on Tenerife and La Palma.

Population and economy: As of recent estimates, around 2.2 million people live in the archipelago. The economy is dominated by tourism and services, with agriculture remaining important for some islands, including bananas and vineyards. The Canary Islands enjoy a special tax regime and are part of the European Union as an outermost region.

Culture and history: The islands were inhabited by the Guanche, the indigenous people, before Spanish conquest in the 15th century. The cultural mix includes Spanish influence and local traditions, with notable events such as the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the world’s largest carnivals. The region uses the euro.