Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife

Method of Transportation: Plane from Madrid to Tenerife North Airport
Transportation Time: Approximately 2.5 Hours
Cost:
     Bus to and from Segovia and Madrid: $22.21/€16.10
     Metro to and from Madrid and Airport: $13.79/€10.00
     Plane: $175.74/€127.40
     Hotel (Two Nights): $70.85/€51.36
     Total: $282.59/€204.86

As one of two islands of that are a part of Spain, the Canary Islands have a very distinct history. Located in the Atlantic Ocean near the western part of Africa, the islands were colonized by Europeans in the beginning of the 11^th century and have been under Spanish control since 1496[1]. Used as a stopping point between Asia, Africa, and the Americas, the Canary Islands became a major part of the economy and had been similarly used by Christopher Columbus on his journeys to the Americas[2]. One of the largest and main areas of the Canary Islands is Tenerife.

Tenerife Geography

Tenerife is located in the center of the Canary Islands. The island, like all of the Canary Islands, is a volcanic island and Tenerife has had four recorded volcanic eruptions in 1704, 1706, 1798, and 1909[3]. With forty-two natural protected spaces and a national park, Tenerife has a very diverse geography[4]. One of the most notable geographic landmarks of Tenerife is the Teide National Park. Mount Teide, at 3,718 meters high, is the highest peak in Spain and the third highest volcanic structure in the world[5]. The park itself is a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site and it is possible to visit both the park and Mount Teide[6]. Access to Mount Teide is restricted to a permit for a specific date and period of time, but there are parts of the park that are not restricted. The permits can be obtained online at www.reservasparquesnacionales.es and are needed for both walking by foot and using the cable car to reach the peak[7].

Museo de Historia de Tenerife

Not only is Tenerife known for its geography, but it is known for its cities as well. One of the main cities of Tenerife is San Cristóbal de La Laguna, commonly known as La Laguna. The original capital of Tenerife, La Laguna is a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site[8]. Used as a layout for many of the “New World” colony cities, La Laguna has buildings dating from 1546[9]. La Laguna also has the Museo de Historia de Tenerife, or the Tenerife History Museum. Here the visitor can learn everything about the history of the island and their influence on Spain. The museum is in Spanish, but there are free guidebooks in different languages available along with the free entry. Since Tenerife is the only one of the Canary Islands that has archival documentation leading back to European conquest, the museum contains the earliest records of the settlement of Tenerife. Apart from La Laguna, another major city of Tenerife is Santa Cruz. The capital city, Santa Cruz is located in the northeastern part of Tenerife. Santa Cruz is one of the most historically important harbors of the Atlantic Ocean in Tenerife, crucial to trade and economic commerce during the 19^th century[10].  Today, Santa Cruz is known for carnival, a festival celebrated every year in either February or March[11]. Considered to be one of the largest celebrations in the world, Santa Cruz’s carnival celebration is one of the most important festivals in the island[12].

16th Century Documentation

From geography to cities, the island of Tenerife is an important and distinct part of Spanish history. With its two world heritage sites and natural protected spaces, Tenerife has many geographical monuments. A crucial part to Spain’s economy, Tenerife has been a part of Atlantic Ocean trade routes since early European colonization and remains an important part of Spain’s cultural and historical past.

Works Cited

“Ascending the Teide.” webtenerife.co. Tenerife Tourism Corporation, 2010. http://www.webtenerife.co.uk/places-interest/teide-national-park/ascension+a+la+cumbre.htm. (accessed March 21, 2014).

“Events: Volcanic Eruptions.” webtenerife.co. Tenerife Tourism Corporation, 2010. http://www.webtenerife.co.uk/about-tenerife/history/events/las+erupciones+volcanicas.htm. (accessed March 21, 2014).

“History.” turismodecanarias.com. Turismo de Canarias, 2014. http://www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourist-guide/history-origins/. (accessed March 21, 2014).

 “Santa Cruz.” spain-tenerife.com. spain-tenerife.com, 2014. http://www.spain-tenerife.com/UK/santa-cruz.html. (accessed March 21, 2014).

“Teide National Park.” unesco.org. UNESCO, 2014. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1258. (accessed March 21, 2014).

“Tenerife Island.” turismodecanarias.com. Turismo de Canarias, 2014. http://www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourism-office/tenerife-island/. (accessed March 21, 2014).

“Walking Routes.” webtenerife.co. Tenerife Tourism Corporation, 2010. http://www.webtenerife.co.uk/activities/routes-and-excursions/walking-routes/por+el+casco+historico+de+la+laguna.htm. (accessed March 21, 2014).

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[1] “History,” turismodecanarias.com. Turismo de Canarias, 2014, http://www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourist-guide/history-origins/ (accessed March 21, 2014).

[2] Ibid.

[3] “Events: Volcanic Eruptions,” webtenerife.co. Tenerife Tourism Corporation, 2010, http://www.webtenerife.co.uk/about-tenerife/history/events/las+erupciones+volcanicas.htm (accessed March 21, 2014).

[4] “Tenerife Island,” turismodecanarias.com. Turismo de Canarias, 2014, http://www.turismodecanarias.com/canary-islands-spain/tourism-office/tenerife-island/ (accessed March 21, 2014).

[5] “Teide National Park,” unesco.org. UNESCO, 2014, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1258 (accessed March 21, 2014).

[6] Ibid.

[7] “Ascending the Teide,” webtenerife.co. Tenerife Tourism Corporation, 2010, http://www.webtenerife.co.uk/places-interest/teide-national-park/ascension+a+la+cumbre.htm (accessed March 21, 2014).

[8] “Walking Routes,” webtenerife.co. Tenerife Tourism Corporation, 2010, http://www.webtenerife.co.uk/activities/routes-and-excursions/walking-routes/por+el+casco+historico+de+la+laguna.htm (accessed March 21, 2014).

[9] Ibid.

[10] “Santa Cruz,” spain-tenerife.com. spain-tenerife.com, 2014, http://www.spain-tenerife.com/UK/santa-cruz.html (accessed March 21, 2014).

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.