Iruni Kalupahana, JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Europe
The Canary Islands, an autonomous community within Spain, form an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, adjacent to the northwest coast of Africa. This group comprises two provinces Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife and includes Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. Designated as an autonomous community in 1982, the islands are integrated into both Spain and the European Union. The capitals are Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. Covering a total area of 2,875 square miles and home to approximately 2.15 million residents, these islands draw millions of tourists annually.
Geography and Climate
The geographical layout of the Canary Islands is categorized into two distinct groups: the western islands including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro and the eastern islands featuring Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The western islands are marked by towering mountain ranges; notably, Tenerife boasts Teide Peak at an elevation of 12,198 feet the highest point in Spain. In contrast, the eastern islands reside on a submarine plateau known as the Canary Ridge. The climate across this archipelago is classified as subtropical with consistently warm temperatures throughout the year ranging from around 70°F in January to about 77°F in August. Though rainfall amounts are generally modest overall, the northeastern sides experience increased precipitation levels which foster diverse vegetation types based on varying elevations.
Agriculture and Economy
Traditionally steered by agriculture, during earlier centuries past, this sector served as a vital component underpinning economic stability for the Canary Islands. The production of wine reigned supreme until approximately the mid-19th century, when grapevine diseases severely impacted local vineyards. This triggered agrarian shifts toward cochineal farming that subsequently declined later due to emerging synthetic dye innovations. Henceforth today, bananas have lifted to precedence among agricultural products alongside crucial supplementary crops like tomatoes, potatoes, and ornamental flowers. Despite predominant preferences aesthetically pleasurable trades also existing here, rural tasks often necessitate reliance upon small scale farms. Notably, cereal imports sustain agricultural needs frequently topping other produced goods with varied adaptive exigencies.
Culture and Tourism
The Canary Islands culture is a mixture of Spanish and indigenous influences, and there exists the dialect of the Spanish speaking in the islands. The islands have a rich history derived from Portugal and experienced a fast increase of the indigenous populations living in Tenerife and Gran Canaria in the 20th century. Regarding tourism, it is a major port of call in Las Palmas, and more tourists come to see Santa Cruz de Tenerife, enjoying every bit of all year round permanent climate, beaches, and volcanic landscape. The flora and fauna are rich, including the Garajonay national park in La Gomera. There still is little development in manufacturing, as the Spanish government encourages food processing plants to stimulate the local economies.
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