THE CANARY ISLANDS SHOULD BE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST
Added on: 20th Jul 2016
ARCHITECTURE
The Canary Islands are not just about natural beauties. They also
boast several impressive architectural jewels such as the
TenerifeĀ“s Basilica of Candelaria, a Roman Catholic minor
basilica, and the first Marian shrine of the Canary Islands.
COFFEE
Except for some Caribbean territories belonging to European
countries, the Canary Islands are the only European region
to grow coffee. It is in Agaete, a little municipality on the
northwest of Gran Canaria, where they keep the tradition
of coffee growing alive.
CAMELS
Because of the geographical proximity of the African coast,
it might not be that surprising that the Canary Islands are home
to camels. Although they probably were not native to the islands,
these days, camels are successfully bred on Lanzarote.
You can even take a camel ride tour here.
CARNIVAL
Held each February in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital
of this island, the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
is considered the second most popular and
internationally known carnival, after the one held in
Rio de Janeiro. Celebrated since the time of the
earliest European settlements and possibly even
earlier, the carnival attracts thousands of people
from all over the world every year.
GREAT ACCESSIBILITY
Despite being such an exotic destination, the Canary Islands
are easily reachable from many European cities. Tenerife
South Airport, the larger of the two international airports
located on the island of Tenerife, handles over 9 million
passengers every year. Most of the flights from continental
Europe are less than 5 hours and prices for a round
trip start can be really low.
VINE
Lanzarote boasts one of the most bizarre vineyards in the
world. On this island, grapes are grown in local volcanic,
ashy soil surrounded by stone walls to protect the grapes from
strong Atlantic trade wins. As weird as these vineyards look,
the layer of nutrient-rich volcanic soil combined with the
warm and sunny climate creates perfect conditions for
grape growing.
BIRD WATCHING
Fuerteventura, the oldest island of the Canary Islands, is home to
one of the just two surviving populations of the threatened
Canarian Egyptian vulture. The island also has significant
populations of the collared dove, common swifts and
several finch species.
BANANAS
The Canary Islands rank among the largest banana producers in
the world. On the island of La Palma, which is inhabited by
80,000 people, banana production is by far the most important
sector as 80% of this islandĀ“s population depends on it.
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