Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean 210 km from the northwest coast of Africa and belonging to Spain. The island is of volcanic origin.
The island was populated by the Guanches from 3000 BC, who called it Tamarán, but was claimed by Spain in the 15th century.
Gran Canaria's surface is 1560 km2 and its maximum altitude is 1949 meters (Pico de Las Nieves). It has a round shape, having a diameter of just about 50 km.
It is divided into twenty-one municipalities:
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Mogán
- Moya
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Las Palmas
- San Bartolomé de Tirajana
- San Nicolás de Tolentino
- Sta. Brígida
- Sta. Lucía de Tirajana
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The island has a population of 789,908 with 377,600 (year 2003) of those in the capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also the capital of the province of Las Palmas, and also one of the co-capitals of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. Las Canteras Beach is located in the heart of Las Palmas city.
The market in the fishing city of Arguineguin (in the municipality of Mogán) is the largest on the island, and is on Tuesdays.
The number of annual visitors is 2.2 million (2,200,000).
This island is called a "Miniature Continent http://canariandreams.com/html/gran_canaria.html " due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found. Most tourists stay in the south of the island, which is sunnier and has less rain than the north. There is a large bird park, Palmitos Park, in the south of the island.
External links
- Pictures of Gran Canaria http://home.worldonline.nl/~hharmsen/
- Gran Canaria Tourist Portal http://www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo/index.php?id=283
- Cabildo de Gran Canaria http://www.grancanaria.com/
- All Gran Canaria web sites listed http://www.gran-canaria-info.com/
- Gran Canaria Guide http://www.grancanariaguide.com/
Last updated: 02-08-2005 08:45:16
