&lTenerife is the largest island of the Canary Islands. Here also is the most varied of landscapes ranging from the mighty volcanic crater of Cañadas del Teide, with a diameter of 20 kilometers, and the 3.718 meters high Teide in its centre to fertile valleys with important plantations of bananas and tomatoes to the coast that boasts not only steep rugged cliffs topography but also wide beaches of fine sand.

Geological theory states that some three million years ago there were three islands that were comprised by the Anaga, Teno and Valle San Lorenzo mountain ranges. Over the millennium, these islands accreted into one island that today is Tenerife.

The last volcanic eruption took place in 1909 near the village of Santiago del Teide and ongoing geological studies indicate that the last stage of volcanic activity on Teide took place over 500,000 years ago. Indications are that the first to erupt was the Pico Viejo (old peak) then later the Pico del Tiede which today is coated in crystalline sulphur.

The Spanish conquest happened over 500 years ago and followed the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus. Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, the Spanish conqueror, arrived at the bay which is lined today by the harbour of Santa Cruz; known then as Anaza.

The ancient inhabitants of the islands, known as the Gaunches, resisted the Spanish incursion but, on the 31st of May 1494, Alonso de Lugo was ordered to remove the last bastion of Canary resistance. A fierce battle, which resulted in the breaking of the indigenous natives’ power and the death of over 2,000 Spaniards, was followed by a callous slaughter in a place that still bears the memory of the events – La Matanza – or the killing grounds.

More information: http://www.tenerife.com/

Routes and Places worth a Visit

The Anaga Peninsulat;/strong> lies on the north eastern part of the island. It is the most extreme point of the landmass and is noted for its rugged terrain which is host to dense woodlands and many species of flora and fauna. On the coast, impressive cliffs fall to a sometimes wild sea peppered with the jagged teeth of rocks. Like all of the islands the geology of the terrain is volcanic, a feature that means that there is an abundance of minerals and nutrients ensuring fertility of the land and a wide range of agricultural produce including the famous Canary Island banana, potatoes and vines.

La Orotava is a town located in the centre of the island and surrounded by wild forests that must figure amongst the most beautiful in the world. Town was founded in the XVI century, principally by people from Andalusia who repopulated the lands won from the indigenous people. The town is replete with monumental buildings including churches, convents, palaces and windmills.

Important Fiestas

La Ortava: June – the festival in honour of the patron saint, a fiesta that has been declared as of national interest; this because of the traditional events that take place at this time.

Puerto de la Cruz: Carnival time is between the 27th of January and the 10th February. The fiesta mayors are held in July.