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The Canary Islands are known as a winter playground, but not because of their annual snowfall (which is zero). Located off the west coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are a territory of Spain and they offer an easy escape in the winter from snowy Europe. While the islands are full of flashy resorts and man-made comforts, there are a few wild places, including a volcano, and fishing villages that have not been ruined by the tourism industry.
Travel to the Canary Islands is encouraged year-round, though December through March are the coolest and busiest. The Carnival season (February/March) would be exciting but very crowded. Regardless of the time of year, however, you are bound to enjoy yourself once you are there.
The Canary Islands boast a population of 2 million people with ethnicities ranging from Spanish, European, Portuguese and African.
Once you do get to the Canary Islands you will surely not run out of things to do. El Hierro is the smallest island in the Canary archipelago. It seems El Hierro was once considered to be the end of the known world because the zero meridian goes through this tiny paradise. El Hierro was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000, which means that most of the fauna and flora on the island are protected. The coast is included in the Reserve and all underwater lifeforms are protected. Unfortunately, with this much protection comes some prohibitions, such as camping or collecting fish while you are visiting El Hierro. Again, there are plenty of things to do, such as peaceful walks, bicycling, horseback riding, hiking, para gliding and, an all time favorite, scuba diving. Fuerteventura is considered the windsurfers mecca and La Gomera is a walker’‘s paradise. Lanzarote has a spectacular volcanic landscape and Tenerife has the highest mountain in Spain, Pico del Teide, which is 3718 meters above sea level.
El Hierro is considered one of the best places for scuba diving in Spain, mainly because of the protection of being a Reserve. There are nine dive centers in the southern village of Restinga, and you can rent the most modern equipment you may need for your adventure. You can also hire an instructor and take one of their boats to a perfect dive spot.
Gran Canaria is the largest island by population, and also holds the capital of the Canaries, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is Gran Canaria’‘s capital as well.
The fabulous nightlife of the Canaries can usually be found on the main resorts of the islands. Lanzarote has four main resorts: Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca. Gran Canaria’‘s main resorts are Las Palmas, Puerto Rico, and Playa del Ingles. Tenerife’‘s main resorts are Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, and Playa de las Americas.
The official language of the Canary Islands is Spanish, and the official currency is the Euro. The unofficial drink is rum and the local fish is delicious. Also equally delicious are the plantains as the Canary Islands are Europe’‘s only exporter of them. Try the mousse de gofio and you will not be disappointed.
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