Tenerife

Tenerife, largest of the Canary Islands, is situated 200 miles off the west coast of North West Africa at about 28 degrees latitude and 16.5 degrees longitude. Triangular in shape, the island would fit into a rectangle about 90 km wide by 80 km high and has a road measured perimeter of about 358 km. Mount Teide, the extinct volcano which dominates the centre of the island stands at 12,200 feet high - and is the highest point in Spain. Its peak can be seen from all of the other Canary Islands. The island is full of natural contrasts, the south being totally different, both visually and climatically, to the North. There are vast areas of stunning natural scenery and a tour of Mount Teide quickly reveals why this particular area was chosen as the backdrop to scenes in famous films such as Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and the Ten Commandments. Volcanic cones are distributed randomly over the whole islands surface and contribute to the amazing landscape. Two busy International Airports and a sea port link, ferry about 1 million hot weather seeking tourists from Europe, USA and the rest of the world. Time Zone Tenerife is due south of London, UK, so Tenerife has the same time (UTC - GMT).

Tenerife is known throughout the world as the Island of Eternal Spring. Its geographic position, in an imaginary strip around the world in which you find some of the best holiday spots in the world, means that this slogan is not far from truth.

The reasons for the gentle climate are the prevailing winds - the trade winds - the topography of the terrain itself and the cold Canary current, which ensures that the coasts and beaches of Tenerife always enjoy magnificent temperatures, sometimes above the temperature of the air.

In general, the Island's climate is mild, temperate and moderate throughout the year. There are no seasons of extreme cold or suffocating heat. Average temperatures fluctuate between 17º and 18º C in winter, up to 24º or 25º C in summer. These relative and general values are especially applicable in coastal areas where most of the tourist resorts are sited.

In the different section in this site (nature) information is given about the enormous variety of scenery in Tenerife. This also implies a wide variety of micro-climates, which is one of the most surprising and attractive aspects of the Island.

Tenerife forms part of the Micronesia [microclimate], one of the most important natural regions of the world, famous for its flora and fauna. At present, almost half of the insular land is included in some of its 48 protected areas. Amongst which are the Mount Teide National Park, the most visited place within Spain and one of the most exotic and remarkable places within Europe. Its volcanic areas, its lunar space, the remarkable colour of its terrain, the beautiful landscapes and views, the silence and all these natural items offered by the volcano, make this area what it is with unique character. Last January was its 50th Birthday and steps are already in place to declare it a Humanity Patrimony.

Surrounding the Mount Teide National Park is the Natural Park La Corona Forestall, a forest of canarian pine trees that embrace 17 municipalities. In addition, the Island has two rural parks; Anaga and Teno; four integral natural reserves: Ijuana, Pirajal, Roques de Anaga and Pinoleris; and six special nature reserves: Malpaís de la Rasca, Malpaís de Güímar, Montana Roja [Red Mountain], Barranco del Infierno [Precipice from Hell], the Chinyero and Las Palomas.

Tourism is the driving force behind the economy, which also has other sources of income such as port activity - fundamental for both commerce and the services sector -, agriculture, livestock, fishing and, to a lesser extent the industrial sector, limited in practice to small processing centers for goods.

Tenerife receives more than 4,000,000 tourists a year; so the hospitality industry and the services sector generate more than 60% of its GDP. Agriculture accounts for less than 10% of GDP, although it makes an important contribution to the island in that it generates incalculable benefits, related to sustaining the rural landscape and maintaining the cultural values of Tenerife.

Bananas are the leading crop, with Tenerife being the leading producer of the Canary Islands. Annual production has stabilized around 150,000 metric tones in recent years, after peaking at 200,000 tones in 1986. Just over 90% of the crop goes to the Spanish domestic market. Banana plantations cover 4,200 Has. of land. The next most important crop is tomatoes, followed by potatoes, flowers and ornamental plants and vines.

Some of the most popular craft items among visitors are the "calados" - drawn work embroidery - and "rosetas" - rosette embroidery. Calado is a technique used to embroider a tightly stretched piece of cloth fixed to a wooden frame, requiring good taste, patience and accuracy. It is generally used for table cloths and produces beautiful results. Roseta is a technique, mainly used in Vilaflor, which consists of making patterns with threads that are crossed over and wound round pins stuck in a "pique" - a small, almost spherical support made of cloth. By joining small pieces together, this technique is used for making individual mats and serviettes of great beauty.

In Tenerife, and in the rest of the Canary Islands, there is a long tradition of working clay that has grown out of the primitive ceramic work done by the ancient Guanches, who did not use a potter's wheel. Modern potters continue to ignore the wheel. Clay is worked entirely by hand, giving truly genuine results, be they articles originally used in the household, such as "ganigos" - small traditional pots - and "asadores" - clay spit used for roasting fish, or simply adornments: bead necklaces or the famous "pintaderas" a kind of symbol that is repeated with spirals in Guanche iconography: an series of triangles set within another common triangle.

Even before the Canary Islands were part of history as such, they were legendary as the mythical lands beyond the Pillars of Hercules, the Gibraltar Straits, toward the Dark Sea. Paradise, the Elysian Fields or the Garden of the Hesperides are often placed here by Classical authors. One of the first reliable reports of the islands comes from Pliny who, in the 1st century, spoke of an expedition sent by Juba, King of Mauritania, which brought back giant dogs as a souvenir of the adventure. This is the origin of the name of the islands: Canary Islands, from can or canes. Magnificent examples of these fierce-looking native hunting dogs can still be found in the islands, where they are called "verdinos" on some islands and "bardinos" on others.

It is hardly surprising that the first legendary and historic accounts of the Canary Islands almost always mention Tenerife, also known as Nivaria, as the sight of an enormous snow-capped mountain, sticking up above the clouds at those latitudes and visible for miles around must have made quite an impression on those ancient seafarers.

The Guanches

Up until the conquest of the Islands by Europeans, which took most of the 15th century, they were inhabited by people, possibly of North African origin, living in the Stone Age, although there were signs of a more advanced culture in their religion and handicrafts.

The Guanches - pre-Hispanic inhabitants of Tenerife - dressed in rough skins and there is no evidence to suggest they knew anything about sailing. They did, however, bury their dead with great care after mummifying them, often using highly efficient techniques for this, and they showed fine taste in their decorations. They worked in clay, although they did not use a wheel, and their spears (añepas) where tipped with sharp pointed heads of natural volcanic stone.

Many ancient writers - and some modern ones too - thought that the Canary Islands were the visible remains of a sunken continent: Atlantis, and that the Guanches were the descendants of Atlas. They would be the sons and grandsons of the people who inhabited the mountains of that legendary world who were transformed suddenly into islanders by the catastrophe. The theory, although totally lacking in a scientific base, is supported by some based on the fact that the Guanches were not a seafaring people and that there was no communication between the islands, although they were clearly visible. These arguments also mention the enormous stature of the natives - if we are to give credit to some reports, giants were commonplace on the islands.

Tenerife has an extensive network of sign-posted tourist trails, offering interesting guided and self-guided walks. There is also a large number of recreation areas offering a full range of services.

The rugged island terrain attracts large numbers of mountaineers who come here for the rock climbing and to descend the gorges. The island also offers great take off sites for paragliding, with spectacular and unusual views.

In the Teide National Park, there is an extensive network of tracks providing access to the most interesting sites. Based on criteria of safety, comfort, local knowledge and the enjoyment of visitors, the Park management especially recommends the guided and self-guided routes, rather than some of the more dangerous and lengthy trails that are not recommended for most people.