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Gran Canaria is the third-largest and second-most-populous island in the Canary Islands archipelago, situated off the northwestern coast of Africa and recognized as a Spanish territory. Comprising nearly 40% of the overall population of the archipelago, the island’s population in 2023 was 862,893. Ranked eighth among cities in Spain, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of the island, is the most populated city in the Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria, on the Atlantic Ocean, falls under the Macaronesia biogeographical area. Acting as a special link between these two different areas, the strategic location is roughly 1,350 kilometers from Europe and 150 kilometers from the African continent. Reaching a maximum elevation of 1,956 meters (6,417 feet), the 1,560 square kilometer (600 square mile island spans. Morro de la Agujereada. The island’s topographical diversity reflects its different landscapes and microclimates, hence strengthening its status as a “miniature continent.”
Gran Canaria has a rich historical heritage; evidence suggests that the first people living on the island, the Canarii, might have come from North Africa about 500 BC. This ancient civilization set the groundwork for a distinctive culture later absorbing European elements. Defined by European powers’ rising interest in Gran Canaria’s strategic location and abundant resources, the medieval era was a pivotal juncture in the island’s history. Under the rule of Queen Isabella I, the Crown of Castile effectively acquired Gran Canaria on April 29, 1483, following more than a century of sporadic efforts at invasion. There was resistance to the conquest, best shown by the capture and captivity of the Canarian queen Abenchara by Spanish troops. The five-year struggle that followed was a turning point in the growth of unified Spain and would permanently change the course of the island.
Juan Rejón, commander of the Castilian army, founded Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on June 24, 1478, therefore ushering in a new chapter for the island. Originally called “Real de las Palmas,” the city grew to be a major Atlantic center. When Christopher Columbus arrived at the Port of Las Palmas during his first trip to the Americas in 1492, the event became significant for world history. The brief trip to Gran Canaria linked the island to the era of exploration and the dawn of globalization, therefore positioning it in a pivotal point in a major historical journey.
Gran Canaria’s strategic location in the Atlantic made it a vital stop for marine commerce routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas in the following centuries. The island serves as a cultural and commercial hub, as seen by its variegated population, which mostly consists of descendants of Iberian conversos of Jewish background who fled and found fresh chances here. Gran Canaria’s cultural legacy has been greatly shaped by historical migration, including Jewish, Spanish, and indigenous Canarian components.
For Gran Canaria, the 20th century presented both major opportunities and problems. Driven mostly by the increase of tourism, especially in the sun-drenched southern areas, the island’s economy and landscape saw a major change in the later half of the century. Tensions defined this era, most famously shown by March 27, 1977, bombing of Gran Canaria Airport. The event resulted in the rerouting of aircraft to neighboring Tenerife, unintentionally contributing to the sad Tenerife airport catastrophe recognized as among the worst in aviation history.
Gran Canaria has kept developing and expanding in face of these difficulties. Serving millions of tourists annually, the airport on the island, recognized by the IATA code LPA, is among the busiest in Spain. Beyond only passenger traffic, the airport is essential for air traffic management for the whole archipelago of the Canary Islands. With around 3.6 million visitors annually as of 2014, Gran Canaria’s present infrastructure improves its ranking as a major tourist destination; a sizable fraction comes from mainland Spain and other European countries.
Gran Canaria’s attractiveness originates from its many ecosystems as well as from its historical relevance, contemporary conveniences, and remarkable natural settings. The island’s diversified topography generates a significant spectrum of microclimates and landscapes that justify its designation as a “miniature continent.” Gran Canaria offers a rich visual experience for both locals and guests with its diversified terrain, which includes sunny beaches and famous sand dunes in the southern part as well as green ravines and lovely towns in the interior. Because of its aesthetically pleasing and ecologically important variety, the island attracts UNESCO, one-third of which is a Biosphere Reserve.
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