| Gran Canaria | |
 | |
Location  | |
Flag  | |
| State | Spain |
|---|---|
| Region | Canary Islands |
| Capital | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
| Surface | 1,560 km² |
| Inhabitants | 829.597 (2008) |
| Tourism site | |
Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands
To know
This tropical island is called the "Continent in Miniature" due to the variety of climates and landscapes that can be found. In 2005, about half of its territory was declared a Biosphere Reserve by theUNESCO.
Geographical notes
Gran Canaria occupies a central position in the archipelago. It is between Tenerife to the west and Fuerteventura to the northeast.
Third of the archipelago by surface and second by population, Gran Canaria is an island of volcanic origin with a very varied landscape.
Its highest peak is Pico de las Nieves which reaches almost 2,000m.
When to go
Most tourists stay in the south of the island which is more exposed to the sun and has less rain compared to the north.
Background
The island was populated since 3000 BC. by the Guanches, they were indigenous Aborigines, who called it Tamarán, but it was claimed by the Spain in the 15th century.
Territories and tourist destinations
Gran Canaria: full screen map.Urban centers
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Capital of the island.
- Agaete
- Arguineguín
- Gáldar
- Ingenio - Very close to the airport, Ingenio was a slave market.
- La Aldea de San Nicolás
- Maspalomas & Playa del Ingles - Seaside resorts with large hotel complexes and amusement parks made specifically to attract mass tourism.
- Puerto Rico
- Puerto de Mogán - Small Venetian-style fishing village, with pastel-colored houses, boats and lots of flowers.
- Santa María de Guía de Gran Canaria
- Telde - 2nd urban center of the island, Telde is known as "Ciudad de las Brujas" (City of witches).
Inland
- San Bartolomé de Tirajana
- Santa Brígida — [1] 15 km from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and at 600 m. above sea level, Santa Brigida is a small rural center.
- Santa Lucia de Tirajana - The Guayadeque barranco is located along the road to Ingenio.
- Tejeda - With a parador (historic building used as a hotel).
- Vega de San Mateo - 22 km from the capital.
 Puerto de Mogan |  Hotel in Puerto Rico |  Landscape with dunes |
Other destinations
- Maspalomas Dunes - Made up of sand from the Sahara, they are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas.
- Pico de las Nieves - The highest peak in Gran Canaria (1949 m).
- Roque Nublo (Rock of the Clouds) - Rocky spur of volcanic origin.
How to get
By plane
There are two airports on the island, the largest of which is the Gran Canaria International Airport connected to theItaly.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria it is instead the main port of the island, with ferries to Arrecife (up Lanzarote), Puerto del Rosario is Morro del Jable (up Fuerteventura) is Santa Cruz de Tenerife (up Tenerife). There is also a link between Puerto de las Nieves in the municipality of Agaete and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
How to get around
What see
- Maspalomas Lighthouse. Tourist attraction.
Events and parties
- Carnival.
- Festival del Sol.
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
Itineraries
Pretending to make the circumnavigation of the island in a clockwise direction and starting from the capital we will meet the places listed below: Telde, Ingenio, Maspalomas, Arguineguín, Puerto Rico, Mogán, La Aldea de San Nicolás, Agaete, Gáldar is Santa María de Guía de Gran Canaria.
Wanting to concentrate in a more specific area, the routes usually recommended on the island are:
- South: Telde, Ingenio, Agüimes, Temisas, Santa Lucia de Tirajana, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Fataga and the necropolis of Arteara.
- In the north: Arucas, Teror, Valleseco, Moya, Santa María de Guía de Gran Canaria, Gáldar is Agaete.
- In the center: Tafira Alta, Santa Brígida, Vega de San Mateo, Ayacata, Tejeda, Artenara and Cruz de Tejeda
Car rental is essential because most of the inland locations can be reached by following winding mountain paths.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Gran Canaria
Commons contains images or other files on Gran Canaria
