Information on the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are an archipelago near Morocco. It is an autonomous region of Spain and accounts for the westernmost part of the European Union. The islands have a number of features which provide for a unique status among other European states. Tourism is highly important to the Canary Islands, and the islands are one of the most popular vacation spots in Europe.
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Geography
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The Canary Islands were formed by a major hot spot of volcanic activity located off the coast of Africa. However, the volcanoes have remained relatively inactive during the modern era.
Identification
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The name for the islands is believed to have been derived from a Latin term for "dog." Ancient Romans visited the islands and could have seen large dogs, which are now extinct. Others theorize that the Romans saw monk seals, which they called "sea dogs."
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Religion
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Native Canarians are primarily Roman Catholic; however, many other smaller groups practice Protestantism and Islam. This stems from the varied waves of immigration, which continue to this day.
Considerations
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The Canary Islands are an autonomous community composed of two different provinces. Both Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife themselves are subdivided into seven major islands. Each of these islands is governed by its own island council.
Economy
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The economy of the Canary Islands is primarily based on tourism. Nearly 32 percent of the country's gross domestic product comes from this industry. According to 2008 figures, the country is visited by 10 million tourists each year.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Zirland
