The Canary Islands are an archipelago of volcanic origin located in the Atlantic Ocean to the west of the Northern Africa . This archipelago is well-known due to its striking variety of unique natural sceneries: Europe 's highest mountain with snow on its top, black sand beaches, seas of volcanic lava, and forests remained here since the prehistoric Tertiary period, overgrown with mosses and covered in dense sea fogs.
The Canary archipelago is made up of seven large islands and is divided into two provinces: Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote (the Eastern province) and Tenerife, La Palma , La Gomera and El Hierro (the Western province). The major city of the archipelago is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with population of about 355 thousand people. Las Palmas is the biggest port in Europe located on the third largest island Gran Canaria .
Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary archipelago being one of the autonomous communities of Spain . Tenerife is known as “the island of eternal spring” due to its mild sea climate and stable temperatures. The nature of Tenerife is so rich and various, that the island can be compared to a miniature continent. Majestic mountain chains and fertile valleys, vast tropical and subtropical woods and volcanic semi-deserts, mountain gorges and sandy dunes - all these natural contrasts found their reflection in the island's landscape.
The southern part of Tenerife is characterized by surprisingly warm and favourable climate as the high mountain chain of islands insulates this part against the cold trade winds blowing from the northeast. As a result the south of Tenerife enjoys hot sunny weather all year round. Resort cities of Las Americas and Los Cristianos, located in the provinces of Adeje and Arona are the largest and most popular tourist centers in the southern coast.
The overwhelming majority of hotels in the south of Tenerife appeared recently - at the end of the 80s - the beginning of the 90s of the XX century – that fact stipulated for the use of advanced achievements and development in the field of resort constructions. It explains a high level of comfort, a wide choice of services and facilities offered by hotels, and provides a harmonious combination of up-to-date hotel complexes and the primeval landscape of the islands.
Puerto de La Cruz is the main city of the valley of Valle Orotava and the first resort appeared in Tenerife . Now it is the acknowledged center of the international tourism. Wonderful views of Lago Martianez lake can be seen if you walk along the beautiful ocean quay. And a visit of the famous Loro Parque with the largest collection of parrots in the world will give many hours of pleasure to children as well as adults. An integral part of the resort landscape is superb ocean beaches made of volcanic sand.
Situated in the heart of the Canary archipelago, 60 miles away from the African coast, Gran Canaria enjoys mild climate, sunny days, and warm caressing waters, wonderful and unique landscapes. The a verage air temperatures vary between 19 °C and 24 °C, water temperatures – between 17 °C and 23 °C. The volcanic origin of the islands, rising from the ocean, and endless natural beauties explain their unique charm and allow comparing the islands to a miniature continent.
The southern part of the island is rich in marvelous beaches with amazing gold sand in the area of Playa del Ingles, dunes and the oasis Maspalomas. The Northern coast is the beautiful coastal rocks, stones of volcanic origin, and deep bays with azure waters. The central part of the island has a mountain relief and has a wide variety of tropical vegetation.
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