Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria, rarely Grand Canary (archaic), is the third largest island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean 210 km from the northwest coast of Africa and belonging to Spain. It is located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura. The island is of volcanic origin. The island was populated by the Guanches, who may have arrived as early as 500 BC. The Guanches called the island Tamarán. It was claimed by Spain in the 15th century.

Gran Canaria's surface is 1,560 km˛ and its maximum altitude is 1,949 meters (Pico de Las Nieves). It has a round shape, having a diameter of just about 50 km.

It is divided into twenty-one municipalities:

The island has a population of 802,257 with 378,628 (year 2005) of those in the capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the biggest city of Canary Islands, also the capital of the province of Las Palmas, and also one of the two capitals of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, along Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

This island is called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found. The island is under protection as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

The north tends to be cooler while the south is warmer and sunny. The east coast of the island is flat dotted with beaches while the western coast is rockier and mountainous.

Most tourists stay in the south of the island, which is sunnier and has less rain than the north. There is a large bird park, Palmitos Park, in the south of the island, as well as many beach resort communities. The resort communities start in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area which includes the towns of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Sonnenland, and Maspalomas where most tourists visit. The Dunes of Maspalomas are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another tourist attraction is the Lighthouse at Maspalomas situated at the western end of Maspalomas.

Playa del Inglés is a popular destination for European gay tourists with bars, restaurants and businesses centered primarily in the Yumbo Centrum shopping center. A gay beach is found near the Maspalomas Dunes.

Heading west along the southern coast is the fishing city of Arguineguin in the Municipality of Mogán. The market, which is held on Tuesdays, is the largest on the island.

Still further to the west along the southern shore, also in the Municipality of Mogán are the communities of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, a picturesque village referred to as "Little Venice" on account on its many canals.

The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the north of the island, has a vibrant city life and the beach Las Canteras is located in the heart of the city. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also known for its annual Carnaval.

The number of annual visitors is 2.2 million (2,200,000). Most of the tourists visit the southern part of the island.

Other attractions include Banana Park, Roque Nublo (an 80m monolith), Cenebio de Valerón with about 290 caves, Cueva Pintada the most important archaeological park in Canary Islands and the botanical garden Jardin Canario in Tafira Alta. El Dedo de Dios, or "God's Finger" was a rocky spire jutting from the sea in Puerto de las Nieves, and was previously the signature attraction of the Canary Islands until it was destroyed by Tropical Storm Delta (2005) that lashed the archipelago on November 2005 [1]. With its numerous off shore underwater attractions, scuba diving gear, guides, and course are readily available to take in the full beauty of the island.