Lanzarote's tourist development has won it international
acclaim as a unique model for the preservation of its natural and
cultural heritage.
The aborigines called the island 'Tite-roy-gatra',
or Red Mountain; the Romans called it 'Pupuria' because of the abundance
of purple lichen (orchil), but the name Lanzarote comes from the
Island's discovery by the Genoese, Lancelotto Malocello, who reclaimed
it from the obscurity it had fallen into since classical times.
About 100 km off the African coast, Lanzarote is
in the temperate zone of the Tropic of Cancer, warmed by the Saharan
temperatures meeting the Gulf Stream.
One of the many reasons for coming to the archipelago
is to see why UNESCO, in 1993, declared this flat, volcanic Island
of sparse vegetation and fields of lava as a World Biosphere Reserve.
Lanzarote panorama
Traditional architecture
The district boroughs of the Island include the
capital of Arrecife, Haría, San Bartolomé, Teguise,
Tías, Tinajo and Yaiza as well as the Chinijo Islands of
La Graciosa, Montaña Clara and Alegranza, Roque del Este
and Roque del Oeste. Their unrivalled beauty has been enhanced by
the dedication of native artist, César Manrique. Los Jameos
del Agua, El Rio Lookout, La Era, Montaña del Fuego, Cueva
de Los Verdes, and the Cactus Garden, have all been preserved for
posterity. For relaxation, there are the fabulous beaches of Papagayo;
for history, the white-washed villages; and for a break, the night
life of Puerto del Carmen.
Lanzarote's tourist development has won it international
acclaim as a unique model for the preservation of its natural and
cultural heritage; and despite the dramatic rise in incentive and
conference tourism, it continues to respect its seafaring roots.
This is also reflected in the government's network of art, culture
and tourism centres sponsored by the Cabildo (Island Government).
The wonderful climate and varied scenery have made
this island of volcanoes into a zone that attracts tourists from
all over the European Union. Very little seasonal fluctuations and
good occupancy rates place it in a unique situation compared to
other tourist areas. More than one and a half million tourists,
from home and abroad, fill the Island's accommodations of over 53,000
beds, situated mainly in the Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and
Playa Blanca areas.
The Cactus Garden, Guatiza
The strange volcanic vineyards of La Geria
The native's ingenuity in adapting to the arid environment
has generated some curious crop growing systems in the area of La
Geria. The resulting landscape has become one of the most original
images in the world, and was even chosen as the set for Antonio
Betancourt's film Mararia.
Lava soil that is difficult to farm, lack of water
and a lot of hard work to cultivate the local grapes - Malmsey,
Listan Blanco, Negra Comun Diego (90% of the crop), Muscatel, Burra
Blanca, Breval and Pedro Ximenez (10% of the crop) - have produced
original wines that are now protected by the La Geria-Lanzarote
label of origin.
Special thanks to The Consejería de Turismo y Transportes del Gobierno de Canarias
