| Tenerife Tenerife | |
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| Country | Spain |
| Capital city | Santa Cruz de Tenerife |
| Surface | 2034 km² |
| Population | 899 833 |
| Tongue | Spanish, English, German |
| Telephone code | 34 |
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Tenerife - the largest island in belonging to Spain volcanic archipelago Canary Islands.
General information
The area of the island is 2.034 km², and the distance from the territory of mainland Spain is approx. 1100 km. Tenerife is situated in the Atlantic Ocean (the same altitude as the Florida coast in the USA - 30th parallel north latitude).
The island has a mountainous topography cut by numerous ravines and valleys. The landscape is very diverse, with rugged mountains alternating with flower gardens and manicured parks. The coastline is also varied with pebble and sand beaches of various colors. The highest ascent is El Pico del Teide 3718 m above sea level, which is also the highest peak in Spain.
Climate
Perhaps the most important tourist asset of Tenerife is mild climate by all year. Tenerife is one of the few tourist destinations in the world where the season lasts all year round.
The mountain range divides the island into two climatic zones:
- south - warmer part of the island with less vegetation, more sunshine and sandy beaches
- northern - cooler part of the island with a huge amount of beautiful tropical nature, rocky coast, natural black and gray beaches. Banana plantations and terraced vegetable and grapevine cultivation dominate the landscape
And so in the north of the island it can rain and 22 ° C, for example in Puerto de La Cruz, and in the south in Los Cristianos full sun and 26 ° C.
Annual temperatures in Tenerife are moderate throughout the year, oscillate around twenty degrees (the same altitude as the coast of Florida in the USA - 30th parallel of latitude), due to the shape of the island and thus the division into 2 climatic zones, usually in the south the weather is better than in the north, mostly cloud cover, rainfall and temperature. You should also pay attention to the height above sea level, because e.g. in a town located at an altitude of 650 above sea level. we can deal with the temperature of about 18 ° C (e.g. La Laguna) and 15 km further in Tabaiba (30 meters above sea level) thermometers will show 25 ° C. An important weather factor is the sun, which in Tenerife shines at an angle almost twice as large as in Poland, thus we advise against sunbathing for several hours without appropriate sunscreen with a very high sunscreen. The only difference in the weather between the winter and summer months is that at night, e.g. in January, the temperature can drop to approx. 16 degrees Celsius, where in the summer months it never drops below 20 degrees, in the winter months it is also more cloudy than in the months summer.
Length of the day
Contrary to appearances, this is very important information, sunrise (due to the location of the island closer to the equator), for example, in the winter period begins, similarly to Poland, around 7: 00–7: 30 local time and sunset around 18:30. –19: 00, this gives the so-called "Longer day" compared to Poland by several hours. In summer, sunrise in Tenerife begins later than in Poland, and it is around 6: 30-7: 00 local time, while sunset, similarly to Poland in the summer, around 21: 30-22: 00 local time.
Cities
The most important towns in Tenerife:
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife - capital city
- Los Cristianos
- Costa Adeje
- Puerto de la Cruz - with a botanical and zoological garden Loro Park
- Las Americas (together with Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje) - cities typical for tourists
- La Laguna - on UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Los Gigantes
- La Orotava - located in the north of the island
- El Medáno - good for windsurfing
- Icod de los Vinos - a city on the northwestern tip of Tenerife, Cueva del Viento cave,
Beaches
Tenerife is characterized by a rocky coast, especially in the northern part. Which does not mean that it does not also have beautiful sandy beaches of different colors of sand. In dark red we find a little known beach in El Medano situated on the other side of Montana Roja, black in Puerto de La Cruz - Playa Jardin, gray in Los Realejos - Playa Socorro, gray and yellow in Los Cristianos - Playa Las Vistas, in Playa de Las Americas - Playa Fańabe and the most beautiful beach in Tenerife - in Adeje - Playa del Duque. An interesting beach that cannot be forgotten is the yellow beach in San Andres - Playa Teresitas. This beach is 100% artificial, built in the 70's with sand from the Sahara desert.
Hotels
When it comes to a tourist holiday, the most interesting hotels are located in the south-west of Tenerife, in the valley of 3 towns of Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas and Adeje. This part of the island has the most bright beaches and is therefore the perfect vacation spot for sun-hungry holidaymakers. It is worth noting that in Playa de Las Americas and Adeje there are the newest and most architecturally interesting hotels, including the luxurious Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque (hotel right next to the El Duque beach), Hotel Bahia Principe, Hotel Abama and Hotel Grand Anthelia Park. The hotel Jacaranda, Gran Hotel Costa Adeje and Hotel Santa Maria are also worth recommending, mainly due to their location. Travel agencies very often, selling the cheapest offers, offer us hotels in terrible locations with old infrastructure from the 1970s, an example of this is the town of Las Caletillas. We therefore discourage the cheapest offers, or at least pay attention to the conditions of the hotel, its location and when it was built.
Live in Tenerife
The island of eternal summer, moderate climate, no sudden changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature throughout the year, crystal clear air, wonderful landscapes, evergreen valleys, forests and meadows. Cheerful, open-minded and always smiling people, great atmosphere of the Canary Islands. All this is delightful and raises the question of whether it is worth living and working on this wonderful island after 2004, i.e. after Poland's accession to the EU, it is possible without any permits. One of the main tourist centers in the world, almost 900 thousand. inhabitants, excellent communication and road infrastructure, two airports, a university, approx. 6 million tourists a year, economic zone, all these give great prospects for the development of this beautiful corner of the world.
Worth seeing
Siam Park
The largest thematic water park in Spain (18.5 hectares), consisting of over 25 different buildings, a dozen or so slides, including the largest one at a height of 28 meters (eighth floor) - ending with a tunnel in the pool, waterfalls, artificial rivers, tropical greenery, lots of swimming pools, including 3 heated and a beach with white sand from Portugal and of course artificial waves up to 3 meters high. Rich gastronomic facilities in the form of various bars and restaurants, pontoon rental and souvenir shops. The original architecture refers to the former kingdom of Thailand "SIAM" and hence the name of the park. Siam Park is located in Playas de Las Americas, exit directly from the TF 1. The water park also offers free transport for tourists by characteristic buses.
Loro Park
- More information in the password Loro Park.
A zoobotanical garden in the north of the island that has become a refuge for many endangered species. This exotic garden and beautiful tropical greenery make this place an attractive option for visiting Tenerife for many tourists. Dolphin, parrot and sea lion training shows attract attention. In addition, thousands of birds, including turtles, alligators, monkeys, gorillas, tigers and a huge aquarium where you can see, among others, sharks. There is also a large penguinarium in the park - 3,900 m² - "Planet of the Penguins". Loro Park is located in the north of the island in Puerto de la Cruz - open daily.
Carnival in Tenerife
Every year at the turn of February, the greatest fun in Tenerife begins, i.e. the Carnival of dozens of events, performances accompany this fun, and the most important event is the choice of the queen of the carnival - this year on February 10, 2010 and the march of the colorful crowd through the streets of Santa Cruz - on Friday, 12 February 2010 beginning at 7.00 p.m. Colorful costumes, hot music lasts from the afternoon until dawn, the important party is "COSO" on February 16 at 4:00 p.m. and "The Funeral of the Sardine" on February 17 at 9:00 p.m. in Santa Cruz, the events ending this year's carnival last until February 21, 2010.
El Medano
A town located right by the ocean in the southernmost part of the island, not far from the southern airport, there is a long natural gray-yellow beach. A characteristic feature of El Medano is the constant strong wind throughout the year, which attracts a huge number of windsurfing people to the town.
Candelaria
The town is located right on the ocean with Christian roots, there is a basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria - Basilica de Nuestra Seńora de Candelaria. Inside, there is a statue of the Virgin Mary from 1827. On August 15, church ceremonies are held here, drawing crowds of pilgrims not only from the island. Opposite the basilica there are 10 statues of the leaders of the former inhabitants of the island - Guanches.
Teide
The highest peak in Spain, 3718 m above sea level. surrounded by a national landscape park with an astonishing lunar landscape, built in 1954, it occupies 19 thousand. ha. There are over 20 hiking trails in the park, from which you can admire the amazing shapes of rocks, barren wastelands and the specific flora of this place. Due to the amazing views, several films were shot here, including "Star Wars". The national park was entered on the UNESCO list in 2007.
Below the top of the volcano, you can reach the cable car.
Guimar
In a short distance from the southern highway, on the TF 82 road in the western part of the island, there is the village of Guimar. It is famous for its pyramids - Piramide de Guimar, mysterious buildings described and discovered by the Norwegian Heyerdahl. He concluded that these pyramids are almost identical to those in Egypt and South America. This scientist also built boats from that time, which he used to cross the Atlantic. (1970)
Los Gigantes
Huge cliffs of the rocky Teno massif falling vertically into the ocean make a huge impression. The height of these rocks, created long ago by nature, reaches 800 meters, they can be best admired from a tourist boat, then you can see all the beauty of these cliffs. Next to it, there is a town with an adequate name - Los Gigantes.
Masca
One of the most beautiful places on the island, a picturesque village located high between the gorges (approx. 600 m above sea level). Very winding and steep roads lead to it, surrounded by views of beautiful hills and valleys. There are several viewpoints here, from which you can admire rock cliffs, ravines and sharp hills that climb almost vertically upwards.
Icod de Los Vinos
In the vicinity of vineyards in the village of Icod, there is a botanical nature monument, the dragon tree - Drago, over 1000 years old with a very tangled bark, approx. 15 meters high and 6 meters in diameter. Belonged to the dracaena, this tree has very tangled branches and oblong leaves at the ends. The sap of the tree is called dragon's blood because it turns red when it comes into contact with air, and it has been used in the preparation of medicines for years.
Playa de las Teresitas
Not far from the capital of the island, Santa Cruz lies a small town of San Andres, glued to the mountains, and next to it there is a sandy yellow beach - Playa de las Teresitas. It was created in the 70s by the then authorities. The fine yellow sand was brought from the Sahara desert, palm trees were planted, which created a unique place to rest.
Puerto de la Cruz
In the past, only the port part of the prosperous region of La Orotava, a place where many goods were transhipped, only at the beginning of this century did the city receive municipal rights. The development of tourism, the creation of many hotels and restaurants gave the city its current character. Among the monuments, it is worth seeing churches - Nuestra Seniora de la Peta de Francia and Iglesia de San Francisco. Worth a visit is the "Lago Martianez" swimming pool complex and of course the Loro Park.
La Orotava
One of the oldest and most architecturally beautiful villages in Tenerife, located in the north of the island, only 5 km from Puerto de La Cruz. The former splendor of this city is evidenced by the perfectly restored buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries - an example of this can be the building "Liceo de Taoro" and "Casa de los Balcones" or the church "Iglesia de San Augustin" whose construction began in 1671.
Santa Cruz
The capital of Tenerife, together with La Laguna, forms an agglomeration of approx. 500 thousand. residents. The city is also an important transatlantic port where powerful luxury passenger ships, including the "Queen Mary", are often docked. Worth seeing in the capital of the island is the old town and "Parque Garcia Sanabiara" - a city park, which dates back to 1926, with a size of 67 230 sq m, "Auditorio de Tenerife" - a concert hall located right by the ocean, "Plaza de España" - the main a city square, renovated in 2008 with a huge "pond" with fountains. One should also remember about the "flea market" held in the city center every Sunday from 9am to 1pm.
La Laguna - University of La Laguna in Tenerife
One of the oldest cities in Tenerife, located at an altitude of over 650 meters above sea level. the former capital of the island, interesting architecture from the beginning of the 17th and 18th centuries (the old city inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List :) and one of the oldest universities, founded in 1701 in La Laguna, educates over 23,000 students. students at several faculties, has approx. 1.8 thousand. faculty, consists of five campuses: Central, de Anchieta, de Guajara, de Ofra and de Santa Cruz. In recent years, more and more young people from Poland have been attending here.
External links
- Tenerife travel guide - source
- Attractions in Tenerife with a Polish guide - source
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