Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)

Island of Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria) the third largest after Tenerife and Fuerteventura, with an area of 1,532 km2. Combination of round shape and location of the highest peak of Pico de las Nieves (Pico de Las Nieves) height of 2000m in its geographical center, give the island a huge outline of mountains, resembling in form a cone with many extinct craters and deep ravines running down from the top to the ocean. Central mountain range, passing from northwest to southeast, divides the island in the south, dry and sunny and humid north. For one day you can go from hot desert coast, in the valley with a moderate temperature in the center of the island, to cross the subtropical forests and conquer the summit, where snow sometimes falls. The island grows a huge amount of plants imported from Europe, Africa and America: the pine forests in Tamadaba and lime groves of Los Tilos, El Monte vineyards and coffee plantations in Agaete, are palms and almond trees, there are bananas, tomatoes and sugar cane. An endless variety of landscapes and microclimates, thanks to which Gran Canaria has earned the name "continent in miniature", is one of the main attractions of the island. Most beaches are concentrated in the southern part of the island, where more than a sunny and dry climate. Largest dyunny stretches for 6 km and covers an area of 400 hectares. It is a national park and therefore there banned vehicular traffic: It is possible to travel by foot or by camel. In the north-eastern tip of the island is its capital -. Every four years, he also became the capital of the Canary Islands - the provincial government in turn then sits in it, then, the capital of the island. On the east bank between Las Palmas and the beaches of Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, 25 km from the capital is an international airport Gando. For more information on how. Campus Telde (Telde), surrounded by delightful orchards, was the capital of one of two native kingdoms, which divided the island. In the vicinity of the city is a group of caves Cuarto Puertas, of archaeological interest. The capital of the second kingdom was Galdar (Galdar). In a cave located near Cueva Pitanda found murals Guanches - the tribes that inhabited the Canary Islands before the arrival of Europeans. Village Agaete (Agaete) is located in the same name zigzag valley in which grow bananas, coffee, papaya, avocado, pears and corn. Near her is pebbly beach Las Nieves, surrounded by basalt cliffs. The village of Tejeda (Tejeda) lies at the bottom of a wide pit between two highest peaks of Gran Canaria - Roque Nuvlo (Roque Nublo) and Bentayga (Bentayga). At the very south of Gran Canaria are the San Agustin (San Agustin), Playa del Ingles (Playa del Ingles) and Maspalomas (Maspalomas), forming one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain, with numerous hotels, apartments and bungalows, shops, restaurants , bars, and entertainment centers. It is 17 kilometers from the coast dunes around the oasis of Maspalomas, verdant palm trees and seemed to protecting the lake in the middle, which is a stopping place between the continents for migratory birds. Near the oasis located lighthouse Maspalamos height of 65 meters. In stark contrast to the desert dunes entertainment centers: two water parks, village, recreating the American wild west, Palmitos Park with a variety of tropical birds and orchids, a theme park "native world" and a golf course with 18 holes. Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico) and Mogan, Las Palmas (Mogan) - tourist centers of smaller, specialized in aquatic species rest. Both towns are located yacht clubs. Port Mogan, Las Palmas - the perfect place for sport fishing, are registered more than 70 world records for catching various fish species, among which the most prized blue marlin.