The Canary Islands belong to Spain and are one of its 17 autonomous regions. The islands were discovered around 1100 BC, Phoenicians and Carthaginians. The Spaniards first landed in the Canary Islands 24 June 1478 and established in the archipelago, breaking the fierce resistance of the local population. Since 1978, Spain became a constitutional monarchy. Since that time, the Canary Islands granted autonomy. Ruled by Spain's King Juan Carlos of Bourbon, who was proclaimed king in 1975 after the death of Franco. Legislature - the Cortes (parliament of two houses). Professed religion - Catholicism.
The ancestors of modern kanartsev were from the North African Mediterranean coast. Were tangible evidence of their culture: the natural or carved into the tufa caves and cave paintings. They suggest that ancient kanartsy - "Guanches" - were farmers and, as the Egyptians knew how to embalm the dead. Although ethnically kanartsy are of African descent, they feel that they are Spaniards, regardless of the gap that separates them from the mainland of Europe. Islanders say in Spanish, but in rural areas, the effect on the Canarian Spanish dialect is so great that the Spaniards from the mainland have difficulty in understanding.
National characteristics
Islanders slowly. Here time slows down its pace, and the business person has to get used to the slow rhythm of life. Everywhere the sacred siesta is observed - an extended lunch break during the hottest time of day - from 13 to 16 hours of the day.
Kanartsy courteous, tolerant, optimistic, endowed with dignity, they are no stranger to humor, and they can easily laugh at themselves. Despite some inherent southerners negligence, the inhabitants of the islands to be extremely hardworking and diligent.
Canarian cuisine consists of simple but high-calorie foods. The main meal kanartsev - thick soups. As in many southern countries, the most common spices - garlic and saffron. Typical Canarian food is unthinkable without a cold sauce "Mojo", which is used as a condiment for meat and fish. With the sauce, "Moyo" eat as small potatoes, cooked in salted water directly into the skin. Kanartsy love to eat with pleasure and a lot of family fun and great company. Between meals, they do not mind, and a snack.
The most popular alcoholic beverage in the Canary Islands is, oddly enough, not wine, and beer. The level of consumption is almost on par with similar indicator in Germany. During the process of making beer at both Canary breweries - "Tropical» (Tropical) on Gran Canaria and 'Dorada »(Dorada) to Tenerife - watch specialists from Bavaria and Ireland.
For tourists on the islands of the countless restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes, dance cafés and other establishments that offer a choice of a variety of local and European cuisine. Away from the tourist centers may be unexpected difficulties in communication. For example, a cafe owner has not filed a ready-to-use product that will introduce you to the menu and you'll have to discuss with the waiter cooking method selected dishes.
In any country there will always be "cunning," wishing to play on the credulity and inexperience of tourists. For example, on many roads archipelago cheap liquor with a high content of fusel oil, which was brought from the mainland, is issued for the local beer. Sales of goods for home delivery at inflated prices - also a common trick that is performed using various tricks until podpaivaniya buyer. Terminate the contract signed for the sale of a home delivery in Spain is impossible.
The Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Africa. In the archipelago consists of seven large and many small islands. Their total area - 7.3 km2, population - about 1.5 million people. The main islands - Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote.
Nature is not stingy on gifts archipelago: the high majestic mountains, deep gorges, basalt rock, taking the blow of the surf, beautiful beaches, fertile valleys, exotic tropical vegetation. The islands grow 30 species of eucalyptus trees, a lot of endemic (found only in the Canary Islands) plants, among them the dragon tree, Canary pine. Here and there soar skyward agave. The plains are covered with banana groves.
Canary Islands of volcanic origin. Against the backdrop of bright blue sky majestically cones of extinct volcanoes are found throughout the vast surface of the lava, but the main attraction of the Canary Islands - an active volcano Teide on Tenerife. This - the highest point of the archipelago, its height - 3718 m
It is striking variety of colors of the rocks. Fancy a game of light and shadow emphasizes the mountain scenery of depth, revealing fantastic views. In some mountain areas of the islands can be reached only in a jeep. Nature lovers are waiting for the joy of the discoverer. Quiet idyllic corners away from the tourist trail for a long time will remain in memory. The mountains are covered with a dense network of winding horse trails, on which two mules with baggage can hardly separate. For many villages, until recently, these trails were the only link with the outside world.
Climate
In the Canary Islands is surprisingly mild and pleasant climate, with no marked differences from season to season. Year-round sunshine. The average temperature in July and in January is about 22-24 ° C. That is why the archipelago and has become a favorite destination not only summer but also winter tourism for the inhabitants of the entire European continent, and not only in Europe.
The uniqueness of the Canary Islands climate due to the fact that they are all year round under the influence of the North Atlantic maximum, and then - in the field of high atmospheric pressure. This ensures the stability of the wind regime - all year round trade winds prevail. Rainfall on the islands does not exceed 500 mm per year. Tanning and relaxing holiday at the sea is guaranteed. Yet the influence of the ocean soothes the heat and bring welcome rain, giving life to banana plantations, lush parks and gardens which are famous for the island.
Sometimes, because of years of shift of the maximum of the North Atlantic to the Canary Islands can blow hot, carrying grains of sand dust, wind from the eastern Sahara - sirocco, sometimes holding up the locusts here. If the winter trade winds shifting to the south, the islands came the cool westerly winds bring brief but heavy showers.
Significant impact on the climate of the archipelago has a cold Canary Current that runs along the island from north to south. For kanartsev is due to the need to use heating in winter and the opportunity to enjoy the coolness of the coast in summer. In January, the island's mountain peaks covered with snow, which is not surprising at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level.
"The island is beautiful. This morning he appeared before me in all its splendor. Naked menacing cliffs soar over the hardened lava flows, nestled between them pretty little village: the church and the white houses with flat roofs. Rosy girls go on the water: these blessed islands do not have enough water. In all the graceful curve of the body and noble gait. Without the slightest strain on their heads they carry a wide variety of vessels, ranging from classical clay vases and ending with modern cans "- so he saw the island of Gran Canaria in 1952, French explorer and adventurer Alain Bombar.
Gran Canaria - Island of contrasts: you will visit in the quiet villages, see the bizarre rocks, flowering meadows, sandy beaches, come to the delight of majestic palaces and castles in the colonial style - and then horrified at the sight of shacks knocked together out of old boxes and pieces tin, a shepherd on the street will treat you even warm goat's milk, but in a different location for the jar of Coke and a handful of dry dates, you will be prompted with a lot of money.
The island - 1532 km2, population - about 700 thousand people. On the island - 25 major canyons, cuts deeply into the surface of the island, as small canyons - three times as much. The shape of the island close to the circle. The highest point of it - the peak del Pozo de las Nieves (1949 m).
Of course, one of the principal assets of Gran Canaria, a magnet attracting many tourists - beautiful beaches. Some of them resemble the endless stretches of desert, so wide spread sand dunes. More comfortable in a sea of okruzhenyvystupayuschimi rocks, hide in a tiny, closed on three sides by bays. Most of the beaches, shines in the sun white or light-brown fine sand, but there are also exotic beaches with black or brick-colored sand, affecting its wild beauty and unusual colors. In the western part is probably the most amazing beach of the island - Ki-Ki. Melkopeschany, golden yellow, it stretches in length to hundreds, and tens of meters wide. The snow-white foam of the sea surf framed gold sand. Water - a crystal clear, turquoise. Brownish-red cliffs contrast with the green algae. This paradise is located at the outlet to the coast two mountain gorges. You can get here only through the mountains or by sea, on foot is tiring and dangerous. Depending on the physical fitness road travel there and back takes about 5 to 11 hours. Delivery of water will be costly, in addition, to the coast will have to swim. Of course, the place is worth such sacrifices. The main thing - do not forget about protective equipment from the sun, the beach is "wild", and hide from the scorching rays of nowhere.
The fauna of the island is not as rich as the flora, but there are no poisonous snakes and scorpions, and there are almost no mosquitoes. There are different kinds of birds: a wild pigeon, kestrel, buzzard, raven local, siskin, a swallow, and sometimes lapwing. In thickets and woods in the north and west of the island is found Canary finch - the progenitor of the world famous canaries. Fishing enthusiasts have a chance to catch a carp or pike inhabiting the reservoirs inland.
Of the 1700 species of plants of the island 500 - endemic. Typical plants of the island - spurge, growing dense colonies, and the Canary palms. Everywhere there are bright spots of flowering prickly pear (cactus date palm), agave and eoniumy. Unfortunately, it became rare dragon tree, relic plant that lives more than 2,000 years. The mountain slopes are covered with Canary pines and eucalyptus. From ornamental plants on the island there are the famous Christmas asters, reaching 4 m in height and flowering in the winter. Here grow the trees and pumpkin, dried fruits are used as a musical instrument.
Culture on the island of Gran Canaria
Flat roofs Canarian houses with rafters of a particular tree (and a simple country home, and the rich mansion) testify to the architectural traditions of Mediterranean architecture. After the conquest of the island by the Spaniards in the XV century was built a number of religious buildings in the Gothic style with Renaissance, though their shape was retained specific local architectural traditions. They built the building architects and artists - natives of Spain. Later, there were buildings on the island in the baroque, rococo, but many of them. Much greater recognition of the Gran Canaria has classicism. Its heyday lasted until the end of the XIX century. At the turn of the XIX-XX centuries experienced an unprecedented rise of the modernist style.
The small "banana" Colonial charm of the island towns mixture of architectural styles, a kind of "symbiosis" of Gothic, Baroque and Classicism, organic interplay of old Spanish culture and a kind of local architectural decoration. In some places, the idyll is disturbed patches of modern architecture in the style of "matchbox."
In the north of Gran Canaria, near the town of Galdar, is the greatest cultural value of the archipelago - La Que Pintado (La Cueva pintada) - Cave of the tuff with rock paintings, which probably lived the family of the leader Guanches. Rock Painting has two thousand years. This is the only cave where paintings have retained their color.
Traditional folk festival - Fiesta - leaves a lasting impression of the stay on the island. During fiestas everywhere heard the song, merry music is heard. Under the open sky on the square dancing and laughing, eating and drinking. Canary fiesta continues for several days, sometimes two or three weeks and even months. When a village is celebrated in the other - a holiday is just beginning. Every city and town, even each church organize at least once a year celebration in honor of his patron. Most fiestas are held in May and September. About that, where it is expected the next holiday, always happy to tell any taxi driver or porter.
The main town of the island randomly scattered along the coast. It is home to almost half the population of Gran Canaria. In Las Palmas attract tourists: two cones of volcanoes in the vicinity of the port, a busy center, wide boulevards, parks, exotic, nostalgic atmosphere of the old town and, of course, gorgeous sandy beach, which can only be compared to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro.
The city center in the conventional sense in Las Palmas not. Here there are multiple centers. The main streets stretch along the coast to the picturesque, storing traces the history of the southern part of the city. The most quiet and cozy place in Las Palmas - Old Town. Above it rises majestically basalt facade of the Cathedral of St. Anne. The cathedral was built in the years 1500-1800, so in its architecture, there are elements of Gothic, baroque and classical, colonial and Canarian styles. But his eclecticism does not spoil, but rather gives it some originality and spice.
It is not easy to navigate in the picturesque streets of the many courtyards, where the houses are decorated with carved wooden balconies. There is no better place to relax and escape from the bustle of the city than Doramas Park. At the heart of this beautiful park is 'Canary Village' - a kind of ethnographic museum under the open sky. Here, every Thursday and Saturday are performances by folk ensembles.
Museum of El Canario in the Old Town is considered one of the main attractions of the island. Inquisitive visitors can get acquainted here with evidence of ancient Canarian civilization. The exhibition presents the findings of archeologists, anthropologists, including an interesting collection of skulls.
A favorite place to walk the local dandies and tourists - Boulevard Canteras 4 km. It is bordered by a number of hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, shops and pubs. But the biggest shopping mall - "El Corte Ingles" is located on a busy boulevard Mesa y Lopez (Mesa y Lopez). The range of products is quite comparable with the European.
All kinds of cheap goods and interesting crafts can be purchased at the flea market, which meets every Sunday next to the Santa Catalina Park. At the heart of Triana, next to the bus station, the hotel is located "Peroyo» (Perojo). The hotel - 15 double rooms with private facilities (shower).
The city is located on the ocean, in a hollow between the hills that protect from the wind. This is one of the biggest tourist centers of the Canary coasts. Bungalows, houses furnished apartments and hotels ledges down to the Atlantic coast, as once went down tomato plantations. San Agustin is divided in two four-lane highway. Cross the asphalt are in the wrong place without risk to life is impossible - it is better to use the pedestrian bridge. From the slopes of the hills of the city and the coast a great view; settled directly at the water have the ability to walk on the beautiful waterfront. The beach of San Agustin - very well maintained and one of the most popular on the island (length - 2000 m, width - 800 m). Overall, light brown, sometimes brown sand and the rocks to protect the beach from the waves. Here - excellent conditions for fishing and scuba diving. The local tourist office organizes trips to the mountains and small walks. The city has a casino Gran Canaria. The atmosphere is very casual, but shorts and bathing suits still not allowed. Winning in the casino can be noted immediately, in a restaurant, a variety show, which offers a fascinating program of incendiary revue show and dancing.
"Cowboy Town" in the western style in the north-east of San Agustin are delighted not only to children.