Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and is set like a jewel in the Atlantic Ocean. It is blessed with many areas of outstanding beauty, with an average temperature of 23 degrees celsius, Tenerife is known as the land of eternal spring.
The influence of the trade winds and the contours of the terrain gives the island an attraction and unique variety of scenery, and local climate conditions to be enjoyed at any time of the year. The island is rich in tradition, & hospitality, waiting to be discovered.
Tenerife is without a doubt a place well-suited to those wishing to relax in a warm and friendly country.
From the mountain peaks to the peaceful coastline, the island is a genuine paradise, for relaxing. A place to rest to escape the extremes of winter and summers, just a few hours flying time from any major city in Europe.
At present The Canary Islands & Spain embody value for money. Lower mortgage rates and rising property prices make an ideal scenario for a home or investment in the sun, for the present time or later on in life.
The island of Tenerife is situated in the Atlantic ocean about 200 miles off the West African coast at just over 2,000 square kilometers. It is the largest of the seven main Canary Islands and has grown from less than one hundred visitors a year at the end of the XIX century, to eleven million visitors at the start of the new millennium. It is dominated by a mighty volcano in the centre of the island which is visible from a great distance and the highest mountain of the archipielago and
even of Spain. Due to its height it is not surprising that it snows in winter above 2,000 metres.
Once the first tourist developments were built, tourism soon increased quickly,
and has since become the driving force behind its growing economy. The capitals
of the two provinces, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, were chosen as the sites for the first tourist hotels because of their proximity to
the ports. Following the end of the First World War, steps were taken to further develop the tourist industry. However, it wasn´t until the late 1950´s that tourism really took off. In order to keep up with the growing tourism demand the industry took the decision to move from the cities to areas like Maspalomas in Gran
Canaria and Playa de las Americas. The language spoken is Spanish the the currency is the Euro. There is no time difference between Britain and Tenerife.
Tenerife Golf
Tenerife is now one of the best golf destinations in the world, thanks to the mild year round weather conditions the island offers a wide range of different courses, making Tenerife a golfers paradise. .
Tenerife offers six imaginatively designed courses, each with its own character, some set in striking landscapes with indigenous vegetation, others with wonderful views of the ocean or Mount Teide. Exotic palm trees are designed in a way as to incorporate and respect traditional landscape. All the golf courses are within close traveling distance from the major resorts.
Nature and Countryside
In Tenerife, the options are endless. Exploring the island is a fascinating experience. Discover the volcanic lunar landscapes walk through lush forest, sail past spectacular cliffs or explore some of the traditional island architecture in the pictures towns and villages.
Without doubt the most spectacular locations is the Mount Teide & Las Cañadas National Park. Rising from the mountain pine forests Las Cañadas offers an awe inspiring "lunar" terrain which extends for 14 kilometers around the base of Mount Teide. Las Cañadas is actually the crater of much older and larger yet thankfully extinct volcano.
Tenerife forms part of the Macaroesia, one of the four regions of the world with the greatest number of unique species. If your lucky enough to take a tour with a skilled guide you'll see one the greatest varieties of flora an fauna in the world.
The Sea
The clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean surrounding Tenerife have throughout the ages given the Island it's unique character and most of it's natural resources and industries. The sea that bathes the Islands beaches is also the best place to practice or learn al types of water sport. Tenerife special climatic conditions make it possible to see one of the world's most important colonies, of pilot whales and dolphins.
Culture and Traditions
Tenerife successfully combines both a traditional and a contemporary flavour in its culture life. On occasions the streets are so elaborately decreed that they become works of arts. Local people create spectacular tapestries with flower petals and coloured sands. Traditional islands architecture still survives in many of the towns and villages where historical and religious buildings of great artistic value have been carefully conserved.
Good Food and Wine
Traditional Tenerife cooking is known for it simplicity, and the freshness of its ingredients. Visitors can find a wide range of restaurants where the islands delicious specialties can be tried. The delicious fresh fish, succulent seafood and tasty meat dishes can all be enjoyed with any of the excellent wines from the five growing areas with appellation controlled status.
To round of the riches of the island there is a wide variety of cheese, a rang of honeys and Tenerife's favorite accompaniment to any dish, the famous papas arrugadas ( potato boiled in their skins with Salt water ), served with red or white wine produced locally on the island.
History / Places of Interest
At least 3 Million years ago it was believed that there were 3 islands with the Anaga, Teno and Valle San Lorenzo mountain ranges. In a tremendous volcanic process the old central volcano and the great mountain range ( Cumbre Dorsal ) melted together into what we now know today as Tenerife. It is assumed that the top of the volcano did not explode but collapsed in it's own crater and is now one of the greatest collapsed craters of the world ( Las Cañadas ). This oval crater is at it's longest distance about 17Km long.
According to many people, the carnivals are the best in the World - after those of Rio de Janeiro. All the islanders gather together at these annual festivities making it a fantastic month for partying. The main festivities take place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the areas near the port where people dance to the sound of the best Salsa groups. Nearly all the inhabitants of Tenerife prepare incredible fancy dress outfits and then show them off during the whole of the festival.
Weather
Tenerife is known as the island of eternal spring. The average temperatures sometimes drops to around 18 degrees in winter and rise to 28 to 30 in the summer. Tenerife is divided by a mountain range which creates two very different climates. In the north it is cooler and greener whilst in the south of the island it is dry and hot. Southern Tenerife costal areas enjoy the most sunshine, the best weather, the least clouds and higher temperatures.
Generally Tenerife has a very moderate temperature. The weather can be completely different depending on what part of the island you are on. In the winter you can play in the snow in the national park and an hour later be swimming in the sea.
Population / Demographics
Size: 2.040 sqkm
Population: approx. 600.000
Capital: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Local Industry
Bananas, which are still the Canaries' leading crop, are protected in the Spanish market against foreign competition. Tomatoes are grown between November and April for export and the cultivation of flowers and plants is a new industry.
Transport
There are two main airports on the island, the main is in the South, Sur Reina Sofia Airport and then there is Los Rodeos airport in the north.
Buses and Coaches are used extensively in Tenerife, as in the Canary Islands and Spain. Bus services between the Airports - Playa de las Americas and other major resorts are frequent.
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