Why are the Canary Islands called that? Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are covered in myths and legends. Many writers connect them with the disappeared continent of Atlantis. Plato believed that this rich, fertile region was once located west of Gibraltar in the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantis was destroyed by earthquakes and tsunamis about 12 thousand years ago. After the cataclysm, only the mountain peaks of Atlantis remained above the surface of the sea, which formed seven islands. Why not Canary? The ancient Greeks called the Canary Islands the Gardens of the Hesperides, and the Romans called them the Happy Islands.
Plutarch wrote about fertile lands near the coast of Africa, where spring winds always blow. It was based on the words of the Roman military leader Sertorius, who heard about the islands from a traveler. In the 1st century n. e. Pliny noted that the Moorish king Yuba II organized an expedition to the islands. The travelers saw many dogs on the banks. Canis means "dog" in Latin, hence the name Canary Islands.
Islands have sparked the imagination of people for centuries - from Plato to Jules Verne. Both academic studies and science fiction novels have been written about them. The truth is lost in the mists of time, but the seven volcanic islands have always been shrouded in a magical, magical flair. Once you see the outline of Mount Teide on the horizon, you will immediately understand where these tales and legends come from.
First inhabitants
Long before the appearance of the first Europeans, all seven major Canary Islands were already inhabited. The Guanche tribe lived here. Translated from local language"Guanche" means "man". Strictly speaking, this name refers only to residents of Tenerife, but it has come to be used for residents of the entire archipelago.
The Guanches appeared on the islands in the 1st or 2nd century. BC e. They came from North Africa. Ethnographers believe that these were Cro-Magnons who belonged to the proto-Mediterranean race. The Guanches were tall, light-skinned people, often with blue eyes And blond hair. You can get acquainted with these people at the wonderful Canarian Museum in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The exhibition introduces the special Guanche prejudices associated with death. Like the ancient Egyptians, they carefully embalmed their dead in preparation for their ritual passage to the next world. Scientists have discovered mysterious rock inscriptions that explain these rituals, but so far no one has found the Canarian Rosetta Stone to decipher them.
The Guanches lived in caves, although many of the caves that survive today were used solely for storing supplies. For example, Cenobio de Valeron near Galdar in Gran Canaria, although called a monastery, was most likely just a grain warehouse. Living in caves in such a climate is a logical idea, since they are cool in summer and warmer in winter than any hut. Even today there are many inhabited caves on the island.
The Guanches left us a wonderful legacy that can still be seen today in markets and local eateries. This is gofio, a finely ground and roasted flour that is widely used in Canarian cuisine. The Guanche language lives on in names such as Tafira or Tamadaba in Gran Canaria, Timanfaya in Lanzarote, Teide in Tenerife and in the name Tenerife itself.
Conquistadors
The first strangers to the Canaries were Arab sailors who landed on Gran Canaria about 2,000 years ago. The Guanches greeted them very warmly. And in subsequent centuries, the islanders were very hospitable. Unfortunately, their hospitality came at a cost.
Europeans landed on the islands in the 14th century. The Genoese sailor Lanzarotto Marcello colonized the island, which at that time was called Titeroigatra, and later received the name Lanzarote. Following in Lanzarotto's footsteps came slave traders, treasure hunters and missionaries. But the European conquest of the Canary Islands really began only in 1402. That year, the army of the Norman baron Jean de Betancourt, who was in the service of the Castilian king Henry III, landed on the island. The baron captured Lanzarote and Fuerteventura quite easily, but near Gran Canaria his ships were scattered by a storm. Betancourt turned towards El Hierro, where the startled islanders greeted the Europeans who had arrived on huge sailing ships like gods. Betancourt “repaid” them for their hospitality: by inviting local residents onto one of his ships, he captured them and sold them into slavery.
Around the same time, the Portuguese, who also colonized the Atlantic, paid attention to the Canary Islands. The two powers fought bitterly naval battles. At the end of the war, a treaty was concluded between Portugal and Castile, which ended Lisbon's attempts to capture the Happy Islands. By order of the Castilian rulers Ferdinand and Isabella, the second stage of colonization of the islands began. By 1483, Gran Canaria was conquered, and in 1488, La Gomera. La Palma held out until 1493. After two years of fierce fighting, Tenerife fell, and the entire archipelago fell into the hands of the Spaniards. The process of pacification and conversion to Christianity continued for almost a hundred years. All these years, a real guerrilla war was raging on the islands. The Guanches were brave warriors, but could not resist the well-armed Spaniards.
Columbus's voyages
When the conquest of the Canary Islands was in full swing, Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon in Spanish) began planning his voyage. He was going to open a sea route to India. Each of the islands of the archipelago considers itself connected with Columbus. The great traveler's caravels stopped in the Canaries, since these islands were considered the westernmost point modern world and were the last stop on the way into the unknown.
The great navigator stopped at La Gomera. His ships were being repaired in Las Palmas in 1492. He described the volcanic eruption in Tenerife. Its sailors considered the eruption a bad omen, but, as history has shown, after passing El Hierro, the caravels did not fall off the earth's disk at all. You can get acquainted with the history of Columbus's voyages and the traveler's connections with the Canary Islands in the wonderful Columbus House in Las Palmas.
Wine and war
The first export product of the Canary Islands was sugar. Sugar production was easy on the islands. In the first half of the 16th century. A rapidly developing industry emerged. But Canarian sugar soon replaced cheaper sugar from Brazil and the Antilles. Sugar production in the Canaries simply died.
But trade ties between the Old and New Worlds had already been established, and wine became a new product of trade.
The grapes have taken root well on the volcanic soil. Tenerife began to produce a rich, full-bodied wine - Malvasia. This drink quickly became fashionable among European aristocrats. Shakespeare and Voltaire highly valued Canary wines. Today, tourists arriving on the islands flock to bodegas, restaurants and even supermarkets to buy excellent wines. As you travel around the islands, you will often see abandoned ancient wine presses (lagares) on the hillsides.
TO end of the XVIII V. The Canary Islands have become a major shopping mall, which everyone wanted to own. In 1797, Admiral Horace Nelson attacked Santa Cruz de Tenerife in an attempt to capture a Spanish treasure ship. The city's defenders resisted with all their might. The attack cost the lives of 226 British sailors, and the admiral himself lost an arm. However, the residents of Santa Cruz do not have negative feelings towards Admiral Nelson. When it became known that the English ships were retreating, they sent him wine as a gift. Nelson returned the favor and sent the governor cheese and a keg of beer. Captured British flags are kept in a glass case in the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción.
Free trade
TO early XIX V. the inhabitants of the Canary Islands turned into real Spaniards - both in appearance and in nationality. Many volunteers from the islands fought during the struggle for independence, which ended in 1814 with the accession of Ferdinand VII.
But in the 1870s. Chemical dyes appeared, and the need for cochineal dried up. The Spanish government considered itself obliged to support the Canarian economy. In the middle of the 19th century. By royal decree, one port on each island was declared a duty-free trade zone (Tenerife has two). Low taxes and no trade barriers had the desired effect. Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas have become the busiest ports in the world. British entrepreneurs have invested huge amounts of money in the development of the port of Las Palmas.
The last monoculture of the islands was bananas. They were first exported in the 1880s, but the First World War put an end to trade. However, small sweet bananas continued to be grown on the islands as long as mainland Spain remained a guaranteed market.
In 1912, the islands had their own parliament, which began to deal with social, political and economic issues. Parliament cooperated very closely with local authorities. In 1927, the islands were divided into two provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which included Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which included the eastern islands Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Spanish Civil War
The conspiracy that started the Spanish Civil War originated in the Canary Islands. In 1936, a group of officers dissatisfied with the policies of the Republican government met secretly in the forests of La Esperanza in Tenerife. They were led by Francisco Franco, a right-wing nationalist whom the government sent to the Canaries in the hope that he would do less harm on the islands. From the Canary Islands, Franco went to North Africa, where he prepared the invasion. Three years later, his army won a triumphant victory over the Republicans. A million Spaniards died during the civil war.
The Canaries did not escape the horrors of the war (thousands of Republicans were shot in Barranco del Inferno - Hell's Gorge - on Tenerife), but in general the islands prospered during the dictatorship. This period lasted until Franco's death in 1975.
Tourism and environmental protection
In the 1960s Tourism began to actively develop on the islands. Sometimes this led to a complete change in the landscape, as happened in Playa de las Americas in Tenerife or Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria, which turned into real gold rush towns. However similar cities, although they created the Canary Islands’ reputation as a center of mass tourism, they remained an exception. Vast areas on the most well-developed islands remained virtually undeveloped. And on islands such as La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, tourism began to develop only in last years. But tourism has greatly contributed to the improvement of infrastructure and transport systems on the islands.
After Franco's death, Spain was restored a constitutional monarchy, and King Juan Carlos I ascended the throne. However, the subsequent decolonization of Western Sahara led to thousands of people returning to the Canary Islands, causing social and market problems.
In 1978 it was adopted new constitution Spain, in which democratic norms were consolidated. The constitution paved the way for greater regional autonomy. In 1982, the Canary Islands received autonomy. The central government has delegated many functions to local government. The islands have two capitals: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (the capital moves every four years). Each island has its own council. Council members are elected by general election every four years. In 1986, Spain joined the European Union, which ended the Canary Islands' duty-free status. However, the islands managed to negotiate some relief for themselves. The islands finally joined the European Union in 1995.
Despite the economic benefits of tourism, local authorities are wary of uncontrolled development. They are also not happy about the islands' unpleasant reputation as a drinkers' paradise. IN Lately the emphasis is on a new image of the tourism industry. The ancient roads (caminos rurales) in the central mountains of Gran Canaria and north-eastern Tenerife have opened for tourists. Financial aid The European Union is helping to develop rural tourism - new hotels are opening in the central parts of the islands, old houses and farms are being converted for tourists. Eco-tourism is actively developing on the islands, which attracts nature lovers here.
When mainland Spain introduced restrictions on immigration in 2005, the Canaries new type The guests are illegal immigrants from North Africa. According to some estimates, in 2006, 25 thousand people made the dangerous journey from the coast of Africa. Many drowned and died of thirst. Another problem for the islands is the forest fires that raged in Tenerife and Gran Canaria in 2007. Strong winds, high temperatures And low humidity led to the fire covering more than 24 thousand hectares. More than 11 thousand people had to be evacuated.
All these events have led to the fact that the Canary Islands are now perceived differently, and not just as a holiday destination for Europeans who flock here in search of sun, sand and fun.
The coat of arms of Spain depicts the Pillars of Hercules, which in ancient times the peoples of the Mediterranean considered the natural western border of the inhabited world. There, in the west, the sun was setting. There was nothing there but a menacing and dangerous desert of waters...
And on the coat of arms of Spain there is a proud motto: “Plus Ultra” - “Beyond the Limit”, as a memory of those times when the country owned the territories located just beyond those very Pillars of Hercules. And even today Spain is a cultural metropolis for the huge country that lies across the Atlantic Ocean. Latin America, almost entirely Spanish-speaking.
So, in those proud times, ships leaving Spanish ports for America did not turn strictly to the west, which, it would seem, should have shortened the route. They sailed a south-west course along the coast of Africa for several days in order to land at the Canary Islands. This was done both in order to test the ship and crew, and in order to replenish food and water supplies in the Canaries before the long ocean crossing.
This is how flights to other planets are now planned. Spaceship first it is launched into near-Earth orbit, and from there it “jumps” into interplanetary space. Thus, for several centuries the Canary Islands were something like the current orbital space station: there is already an ocean around, but it is still not far from reliable land.
Today, it is primarily the numerous tourists who are enjoying it. The Canary Islands are now a popular resort located in African latitudes, but with European class service. It’s nice to soak in the pool and look over its edge at the Atlantic Ocean stretching to the horizon. It's nice to live in a five-star hotel surrounded by black rocks, reminiscent of the fact that a formidable volcano once erupted here.
The Canary Islands are volcanic in origin, and on the island of Palma there is still an active volcano. Volcanologists claim that it is in a dormant state, but if it suddenly wakes up, it will not seem like much to anyone, even to distant America. The eruption and accompanying earthquake will cause a tsunami wave thirty meters high, which, moving almost at the speed of an airplane, will cover the East Coast USA.
It’s also nice to feel like you’re abandoned to the ends of the earth. After all, the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain, are the westernmost point of the European Union. And the westernmost point in the Canaries is the western coast of Hierro Island. In principle, it was here that some kind of triumphal arch should have been erected, and “Plus Ultra” should have been written on it in large letters.
The ancient Romans knew about the existence of these islands. They gave them the name “Canariae Insulae” - “Isles of Dogs”. There were a lot of dogs here, and the dogs were big. The Roman writer Plinius Maior (23 – 79) wrote about this in his book Natural History. True, Pliny himself did not visit the Canary Islands, but he refers to the evidence of the Moorish king Yuba II (52 BC - 23), who made an expedition here and, in fact, brought dogs from here.
So the Canary Islands were named after dogs, but the small birds that were found here in abundance were called “canaries” after the islands. Canaries are a local, island breed of finch, distant relatives sparrows and siskins. In the 16th century, the Spaniards began to export them from the island and sell them: the birds sang beautifully. For some time, canaries were a strategic commodity. To prevent them from reproducing, only males were sold. Even the name of the birds was kept secret, they said that they were brought from South America. But she sewed in a bag, and you can’t hide a canary in the Canaries. The birds spread throughout Europe and very soon became pets. By the way, the canary is one of the domestic animals that Darwin took as an example when discussing the origin of species.
Selection of canaries was carried out in two directions at once. Firstly, they changed the color of the plumage from the original green-brown to that bright yellow that we now call “canary”. And secondly, more singing, more sonorous breeds were bred. It is interesting that the exterior of canaries was mainly studied in “frivolous” France, and, so to speak, internal content– in “founded” Germany and Tyrol. No one has yet succeeded in breeding the blue canary. The name of the well-known song “Blue Canary” should be translated as “Sad Canary”. There is also such a meaning English word"blue". In Russia, before the revolution, canaries were loved and willingly bought for fun and comfort in the home. And after the revolution, a yellow songbird along with a harmless geranium (by the way, not a bad folk remedy from pathogenic microbes and mosquitoes in the house) was accused of philistinism. The proletarian poet pronounced a harsh sentence on her:
Quickly turn the heads of the canaries so that communism is not beaten by the canaries! (V. Mayakovsky)
After which he immediately gave his beloved Lilya Brik a cage with a canary. For fun and comfort in the house, as already mentioned. In the 16th century, canaries from the Canary Islands “flew” to Europe. And in the opposite direction, in South America, sugar cane “started” from here almost at the same time. The fact is that the homeland of this useful plant – Southeast Asia and India. In the 12th century it appeared in Europe. The Arabs brought it here and began to grow it in Egypt. The Spaniards discovered that this plant takes root very well in the Canaries. So by the time of Columbus’s expeditions to the newly discovered countries there was something to take out.
Geographical encyclopedia
Canary Islands- Canary Islands. CANARY ISLANDS, in the Atlantic Ocean, off the northwestern coast of Africa (autonomous region of Spain). Area 7.3 thousand km2. Main islands: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote. Extinct and active... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
CANARY ISLANDS, in the Atlantic Ocean, off the northwestern coast of Africa (autonomous region of Spain). Area 7.3 thousand km2. Main islands: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote. Extinct and active volcanoes. Height up to 3718… … Modern encyclopedia
- (Islas Canarias) in the Atlantic region, off the northwestern coast of Africa. Autonomous region of Spain. 7.3 thousand km². Population 1.5 million people (1991). Administrative center of Las Palmas. Main islands: Gran Canaria, Tenerife,... ... Big encyclopedic Dictionary
- (Islas Canarias), in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa. Autonomous region of Spain. 7.3 t. km2. Population 1.5 million people (1991). Administrative center of Las Palmas. Main islands: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura... encyclopedic Dictionary
Canary Islands- Atlantic Ocean, near the north. zap. coast of Africa; territory of Spain. Rome. the author Pliny, 1st century, from the words of the ruler of Mauritania, Yuba, mentions Fr. Canaria (from Latin canarius canine) and connects its name with the spread of huge... ... Toponymic dictionary
- (in Spanish Islas Canarias) administratively belonging to the provinces, and not to the colonies of Spain, a group of 7 large and 6 smaller islands off the west. coast of Africa, in the subtropical zone, between 28 and 29° N. sh., at a distance from 90 to 300 km... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron
- (Spanish Islas Canarias, literally dog islands, from Latin canis dog: according to the ancient Roman scientist Pliny the Elder, on one of these islands there were big dogs) a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 100-120 km from north... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Canary Islands- (Spanish: Islas Canarias), a group of mountainous volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the coast of Africa (Morocco). Autonomous region of Spain. Area 7.3 thousand km2. Population 1.4 million people (1981). Main islands: Gran... ... Encyclopedic reference book "Africa"
Canary Islands- CANARY ISLANDS, group of 7 islands (Palma, Tenerife, Grand Canary, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gamera, Ferro) volcanic. origin in Atlant. ocean, 60 mil. from African coast (27°40′ 29°30′ N and 13°20′ 18°10′ W). Beautiful... ... Military encyclopedia
Books
- Canary Islands, Patskevich P., Farina-Patskevich H. (ed.-comp.). In this guide you will find: Lots of photographs, illustrations and maps; Flavors of the Canary Islands - local products and classic dishes; Schemes and plans of all the main attractions;…
- Canary Islands. Guide, . The guide contains: - many photographs, illustrations and maps; - tastes of the Canary Islands - local products and classic dishes; - diagrams and plans of all the main attractions; - huge…
IN this moment We travel exclusively to European islands. But I hope one day we will get to Asia.
And just like that, the Canary Islands are one of our favorite destinations - the Spanish Islands off the very coast of Africa. My husband just loves them. I admit, I did not immediately develop tender feelings for them. But when I got into it, I realized how much they attracted me.
We visited 4 Canary Islands - Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria And Lanzarote. We also visited a tiny Graciose, but it is considered a satellite island of Lanzarote. Three left. And I think we will visit them too. Why do we like the Canaries so much?
We have at least 5 reasons for this.
5 reasons to visit the Canary Islands
1.Climate
The Canary Islands are called islands eternal spring. They received such a poetic name due to their wonderful climate, suitable for visiting by travelers. all year round. The air here rarely drops below 18 degrees, on average it fluctuates around 25 degrees, and the water in the ocean rarely exceeds 23, and on average is 20 degrees. And so all year round. Of course, there are cyclones that bring cold currents or cold air. But these are rather exceptions. The same as they are everywhere.
We visited 4 islands in different time. So we visited Tenerife in September, Fuerteventura in late May-early June, Gran Canaria in mid-January, and flew to Lanzarote in October. We swam and even lay in the sun on each of our trips. Lanzarote in October turned out to be the warmest. For several days the air temperature warmed up to +38. And even in the evening it did not fall below 32 degrees. I can’t describe how wonderful it was to swim in the evening ocean and lie on the hot sand in the twilight. The water was about 21 degrees. In Fuerteventura in June it was about the same as in Gran Canaria in January. In the evenings we threw on blouses. And for a long, long time they could not enter the water even at lunchtime. But in the dunes that both of these islands boast, it was very hot. Windy, but really hot. September Tenerife was characterized by quite acceptable warm temperature both for swimming and for walking.
So we can definitely say that any season is suitable for traveling to the Canaries if you want to swim and enjoy the sun.
The only thing that is important to consider is that each of the islands still has its own specifics. For example, Fuerteventura is named so because of the constant strong winds, and in winter they can be even stronger. But when planning a trip to Tenerife in winter time, it's better to choose southern part islands, because in the north during this period there may be clouds and rain. But, for example, during the 12 days of our stay in Gran Canaria in January it rained only once. And then only in the eastern part of the island, which we just went to that day. The rest of the days were enjoyable bright sun. So before traveling, you should still get a little familiar with the geography of these islands in order to choose the most suitable place for a particular season.
2.Ocean
Whatever one may say, the ocean is something completely special and amazing. Yes, you can, of course, say what difference it makes - the sea or the ocean. It seems like nothing. But when you find yourself face to face with the ocean, you realize that there is still a difference. This is such power, energy, strength. This greatness is breathtaking. And just a trip to the Canaries is a fairly easy and budget way to see the ocean. Atlantic. Admire the huge waves. Listen to the crazy noise they make when they hit the rocks. Feel the grandeur of the world around us.
3.Atmosphere
I have already talked a little about the atmosphere of the island of Lanzarote in a small
Of course, each island has its own flavor and energy, but what is inherent in all the Canary Islands, in my opinion, is a unique feeling of freedom and lightness. And at the same time such a distance from civilization. Even in the city, resort, capital of the island, there is a feeling of some kind of primordial, wildness. Even exotic. And this is very touching, catchy. I want to return to this. Drink in it. Fill.
4.Tropical fruits
As a vegetarian and fruit lover, I can’t keep quiet about this. All over the Canary Islands you can find amazing tropical fruits at absolutely reasonable, and sometimes even ridiculous, prices. Moreover, these fruits are local. They are grown mainly in the northern Orozava valley in Tenerife. But they are sold on all islands. My favorites include delicious papaya, mango, Canary bananas, dragon fruit and avocado.
In Tenerife we even managed to try some absolutely amazing and very tasty type of mango. Such small in size no more than a ripe plum. But at the same time sweet and not fibrous.
And I tried the most delicious avocado in my life in Gran Canaria. On one of the observation decks with a stunning view of the mountains and valley there was a small truck from which a bright, noisy Spanish woman was spontaneously selling fruit. It was difficult to pass by. Not only were the prices lower than store prices, but also the beautiful looking fruit. I opted for avocado. I picked up several of these ordinary, small ones, like those sold everywhere, and asked how much they would cost. She looked at me like I was crazy and said they weren't avocados and just put them aside. I was surprised. She rummaged through the drawers and brought out an avocado the size of a small melon. I've never seen such a big one before. This is an avocado, she told me. She weighed it and named the price. And I threw into the bag for free those small undersized avocados that I had chosen. Compared to those huge avocados, they really weren't avocados. At home I cut this huge fruit. It turned out to be so ripe that the seed was already beginning to sprout. Oh, how delicious it was! And satisfying!
5.Prices
Among other things, in the Canaries it’s also easy great prices. For all. From housing to food. And what is important is for car rental. Such low prices and there are no transparent conditions for renting a car, like local Canarian companies (I’m talking about other European islands). So budget-friendly and convenient for concluding an agreement and returning the car that you should at least highlight them as a separate item. True, my husband is ready to go to the Canaries only because renting a car there is quick, economical and does not require unnecessary difficulties and costs. Well, gasoline prices there are lower than on other islands.
It is important to point out here that the Canaries are a tax-free trade zone. And therefore many goods are cheaper there. Even technology and equipment.
And if, for example, we compare prices in cafes/restaurants of approximately the same level in the Canaries and the Balearics (also Spanish islands), then the average bill in the Canaries will be 1.5 times cheaper. Renting a car will cost almost twice as much.
In fact, there are many more reasons to visit the Canaries. These are volcanoes, and dunes, and delicious Canarian cuisine, and friendly locals, and a delicious “cafe cortado”, and exoticism, and black sand on the beaches, and much, much more. And I will be happy to explore the remaining three islands of the Canary archipelago.
