Gomera, La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands, 28 km southwest of Tenerife, Spain, 370 km 2. The almost round island (29 km × 23 km) of volcanic origin reaches 1487 m above sea level in the central mountain range Alto de Garajonay.It is cut by deep, canyon-like gorges (Barrancos), drops steeply on all sides to the sea and has only a few sandy beaches. On the east side of the mountain massif lies the 4000 hectare Garajonay National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with the only closed laurel forest on earth that dates back to the Tertiary. The northern part of the island has lush vegetation (evergreen cloud forest) because of the rain-bringing trade winds, the southern part is dry and almost bare. The 22,800 residents in 30 villages fish and farm on terraced, partly irrigated slopes (grapes, sugar cane, bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, papayas, mangoes, pineapples). “Soft” tourism is becoming increasingly important in economic terms. The main town is San Sebastián de la Gomera, 9100 residents, with port, small airfield and square, 50 m high Torre del Conde (“Count’s Tower”, 15th century); it was here that Columbus had his last base on Spanish soil on his American voyages. For over 100 years there has been a strong migration from Gomera, especially to Venezuela and Cuba. Spain occupied the island in 1488. The way of life of the indigenous population (Guanches) remained on Gomera and others. the whistling language »Silbo« received.
Tenerife, Spanish Tenerife, largest of the Canary Islands, 2 034 km 2, 812 800 residents; The capital is Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The V. a. A volcanic island consisting of basalt and phonolite rocks in the shape of an isosceles triangle facing northeast is under the influence of the northeast trade wind through a central mountain system with the 3,718 m high Pico de Teide, the north-east adjoining Cumbre Dorsal (2,200–1,700 m above sea level) and the plateau of La Laguna (600–500 m above sea level) and the heavily divided Anaga Mountains (up to 1,024 m above sea level) in the extreme northeast in two landscape zones divided: in the lush north and northeast and the desert-like S. The middle altitudes receive 600–800 mm annual precipitation (winter rain); no permanent waters, but relatively high groundwater reserves. Vegetation and land use show pronounced elevation levels: the hot, dry succulent level of the coastal zone (up to 500–600 m on the windward side, up to 1,000 m above sea level on the leeward side) with irrigation cultivation of tropical fruits (especially bananas), vines, and tomatoes is followed by the moderate, foggy zone Level of the laurel and pine forests (“Monteverde”) with new potato, Cultivation of cereals and fodder plants, above that between 2,000 and 2,700 m above sea level the level of Retama and Codeso (gorse) bushes with cattle rearing follows; the heights are grazed by sheep and goats. Major tourism (Puerto de la Cruz, Bajamar, Arenal, San Marcos, southwest and southeast coast around Los Cristianos, Las Galletas and others); good road network (with north and south autobahn); two international airports (Los Rodeos in the north, Reina Sofía in the south); several ferry lines to the Iberian Peninsula and the other Canary Islands. San Marcos, southwest and southeast coast around Los Cristianos, Las Galletas and others); good road network (with north and south autobahn); two international airports (Los Rodeos in the north, Reina Sofía in the south); several ferry lines to the Iberian Peninsula and the other Canary Islands. San Marcos, southwest and southeast coast around Los Cristianos, Las Galletas and others); good road network (with north and south autobahn); two international airports (Los Rodeos in the north, Reina Sofía in the south); several ferry lines to the Iberian Peninsula and the other Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria, the third largest of the Canary Islands, Spain, 1 532 km 2, (2019) 865 800 residents.
An extinct shield volcano consisting of several craters (Caldera de Bandama and others), which in the central massif Pico de las Nieves with the summit Los Pechos reaches 1,980 m above sea level and from which star-shaped deeply cut valleys (Barrancos) emanate. In the mountains, tropical and subtropical vegetation, on the coast, especially in the east and north, extensive irrigated plantations: bananas, sugar cane, tomatoes, citrus fruits, coffee, tobacco, cereals, vines, palms, oil and almond trees; Fishing (sardines, tuna); Embroidery (lace). The most important branch of the economy is tourism (beach tourism, health resorts), especially around the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the northeast coast and in the arid dune area of the south coast (Playa Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés). Gando International Airport.
Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands, 1,731 km 2, in Pico de Jandia 807 m above sea level, 80,000 residents.The main town is Puerto del Rosario. Young volcanic rocks (isolated volcanic cones), marine and aeolian limestones, travertine crusts and wide fields of sand dunes are stored above the crystalline base. The extremely dry climate (130 mm mean annual precipitation) leaves only poor vegetation, v. a. Tamarisk and chenolea tufts (a goosefoot plant), as well as some dry fields (grain). Tomatoes and alfalfa are grown in oasis-like irrigation farming; Coastal fishing, sea salt extraction; The centers of beach tourism are Corralejo and the Jandia peninsula; Underwater nature parks with rich fauna. – Fuerteventura was taken over by the Normans in 1402 and remained under feudal rule until 1812.