Travel destination Tenerife

Tenerife: A volcanic wonderland, perfect for adventure seekers and those looking to unwind

Tenerife is the largest and most populated island of the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain. The island has an area of 2034.38 square kilometers and approximately 978,100 inhabitants. The capital is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which, together with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, forms the co-capital of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands. The island is a popular tourist destination, attracting around five million visitors annually.

Tenerife is a volcanic island that was formed about twelve million years ago through volcanic activity. The island is influenced by a hotspot in the Earth's mantle, which builds up a chain of islands as the African Plate drifts northeast over this point in the Earth's interior. The highest point on the island is the Pico del Teide, which at 3715 meters is also the highest mountain in Spain. The Teide is part of a central volcanic massif that is surrounded by a large caldera called Las Cañadas. The geologically oldest parts of the island are the Anaga Mountains in the northeast, the Teno Mountains in the northwest, and some areas in the south. The island is still very volcanically active, as evidenced by the documented volcanic eruptions in 1492, 1704/05/06, 1798, and 1909. Here you can find my report on the Teide National Park.

The island has a diverse climate, shaped by the differences in altitude, the trade winds, and the influence of the Atlantic. The north side of the island is wetter and greener than the south side, which is drier and sunnier. The average temperature ranges between 18°C in winter and 25°C in summer. The island is known for the phenomenon of "sea clouds", which form below 1200 meters and leave the higher peaks clear.

Some pictures from Teneriffa:

Teneriffa Teide

Teneriffa Teide

Teneriffa Teide

The island boasts a rich and diverse natural environment, encompassing a variety of ecosystems such as laurel forests, pine forests, macchia, semi-deserts, rocky coasts, and beaches. The island's flora and fauna are, in part, endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. Notable plant species include the Canary Island date palm, the dragon tree, the Canary Island pine, and the tajinaste. Characteristic animal species include the Canary chaffinch, the common canary, the Egyptian vulture, the Canary skink, and the Canary lizard. The island is home to several protected areas, including Teide National Park, Anaga Rural Park, Teno Rural Park, and the Los Gigantes cliffs.

The island has a long history dating back to prehistoric times. The first inhabitants were the Guanches, a Berber people who divided the island into nine kingdoms (menceyatos). The Guanches subsisted on livestock, agriculture, and fishing and had their own unique culture, language, and religion. The island was rediscovered by European explorers in the 14th and 15th centuries, who established trade with the Guanches. Missionization and conquest of the island began in the late 15th century by the Spanish, who faced fierce resistance from the Guanches. The island was finally conquered by Alonso Fernández de Lugo for the Spanish Crown in 1496.

Under Spanish rule, the island evolved into a new society composed of Spaniards, Guanches, Africans, and other peoples. The island served as an important port for trade with the Americas and Africa and endured numerous attacks by pirates and enemy powers such as the English, French, and Dutch. The island was also the scene of several social and political movements, including the 1812 uprising that introduced the island's first constitution, Canary Island nationalism, which demanded greater autonomy, and the Spanish Civil War, which divided the island into two camps. The island achieved autonomy as part of the Canary Islands in 1982 and has since become one of Spain's most important tourist and economic regions.

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