About Gran Canaria

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Geography, climate, history, sports, excursions, culture and lots more

The Canarian Archiepelago is located 115 km from the coast of Mauritania, in the Gulf Stream and within reach of the Alysian breezes and consists of 7 larger and 6 smaller islands, devided in two provinces:

Province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste, and Isla de Lobos.
Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro.

Gran Canaria: nicknamed as "the round island", lies on the 28^th parallel, the same as Florida. Its diameter has 50 km and its surface is 1.532 square kilometers. The highest pint is the "Pico de las Nieves", at 1.950 m. In the southern side the landscape is mostly flat (The Sand-Dunes in Maspalomas being a good example), while in the west and southwest cliffs prevail. Due to the variety of climatic zones and vegetation, and its mild weather, Gran Canaria has often been described as a "little continent that offers eternal springtime.

The worlds best climate: In older days the Canarian Island were known as the Elysian Fields and Fortunate Islands. Even in winter the temperature is mild and comfortable and one need never experience brusque temperature changes.

The history and legends of the Canary Islands go back to Herkules, Plato and the lost continent of Atlantis, the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. The Guanches, about whose origin many different theories are discussed, are considered to be the Aborigine dwellers of the islands.

Sports Activities: Because of ists mild climate, Gran Canaria is year-round ideal for all types of water sports. There are several sailing schools, such as Luis Doreste Sailing School.

World wind-surfing champions Bjorn and Britt Dunkerbeck have sellted in Gran Canaria and Gran Slam meets are held here.
Many other water sports can also be practises: deep-sea fishing, diving, water-skiing, etc.;

you find Marinas in Las Palmas (Real Club Nautico), Pasito Blanco, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan. For those who prefer sports on Land, the island offers tennis (among others Helga Masthoffs Tennis School), parachuting at the San Agustín Aeroclub, horse-riding, squash, etc.

Gran Canaria also boasts of several Golf Courses, - and some more are on the drawing-board.
On the beach of Maspalomas you can join in Beach-Volley and Beach-Football games, and there are usually hiking excursions into the less known parts of the island on sunday.

Gran Canaria Tourist Board