Below is a brief background to the island.
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In 1987
Lanzarote was declared one of the six
universal models of sustainable
development by the World Tourism
Organization and in 1993 it was declared
a Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO.
Lanzarote is the most easterly of the
seven major Canary Islands and lies in
the Atlantic Ocean only some 100 km (60
miles) from the coast of Africa and
1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. |
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Lanzarote, including the small islands of La
Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del
Este y del Oeste, covers 886 km² running 60 km
north to south and only 20 km at its widest
point.
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Fishing
and agriculture once formed the basis of
the island’s economy but have since been
overtaken by the excellent quality of
its tourism industry.
The artistic and cultural heritage has
been successfully preserved.
The island enjoys an average temperature
of 22ºC all year-round due to its
advantageous location in the Tropic of
Cancer.
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Lanzarote is made up
of seven municipalities: Arrecife (the
capital), Teguise, Haría, San Bartolomé,
Tías, Tinajo and Yaiza, with an official
population of nearly 125.000
inhabitants, mostly residing in the
south-central part of the island.
Arrecife is the political and commercial
capital and home to half of the island’s
population. Five minutes away is the
international airport with its daily
flights to the other Canary Islands as
well as to mainland Spain and
continental Europe. |
| Amongst
the most outstanding attractions are the
Art, Culture and Tourist Centres run
under the auspices of the Insular
Council. The world famous artist César
Manrique's sensitive response to
Lanzarote´s unique geography and people
was instrumental in creating a pervasive
artistic identity throughout the island. |
The island was named
after a Genoese navigator called
Lancelotto Malocello who arrived on the
island during the first half of the XIV
century opening the way to successive
expeditions of French, British and
Spanish sailors and merchants.
Previously the isles were known as the
Fortunate Islands.
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| Great care has been
taken in preserving its historical and
artistic heritage, its monuments and
characteristic houses, local festivals
and customs... in short, the full
expression of its culture and folklore.
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César
Manrique's influence over Lanzarote's
environment has been maintained even after his
untimely death. Buildings are limited to low
rise, colour schemes are rigidly controlled, you
won't find huge roadside hoardings and neon
lights and about 90% of the island is protected
from any building development. This ensures that
man and nature can co-exist peacefully and that
the economic needs of the island and it's people
do not destroy the island's unique environment.
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