Lanzarote Canary Islands

The island of Lanzarote is the most eastern part of the Canary Islands. It has the size of 37 miles length, and 12 miles width, making it the fourth biggest island in the Canaries. Its site is protected by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This island has a mild dry climate of average daytime temperatures. It also has an annual rainfall of just 140 mm, making it a perfect holiday destination for the year round.

Just like any other islands within the Canaries, Lanzarote also has its volcanic origins. One of the earliest volcanic activities in the island happened between the 18th and 19th centuries. Because of these volcanic eruptions, many parts of the island were often described as "martian" or "lunar", which refers to be coming from another world. Many volcanic landscapes with excellent rock formations in the island appeared as well after the eruptions. Among the stunning features of volcanic eruptions in the island is the Atlantida Tunnel, which is recognized as the longest volcanic tunnel in the world with more than 7 kilometers long. This tunnel includes the Jameos Del Agua, and the La Cueva de los Verdes.

The island of Lanzarote is not only abundant of volcanic features and landscapes. It is also enriched with attractive white beaches such as Papagayo, and the Playa Blanca. It has many dramatic landscapes that include the mountain ranges of the Ajaches in the south, and Famara in the north. At the south of the Famara is the El Jable desert that separates the Montanas del Fuego, and Famara.

The mountainous area of the island of Lanzarote is called the Timanfaya National Park. Penas Del Chache is the tallest mountain in the area with an elevation of 670 meters above the sea level.

The first recorded name of the Lanzarote Island was "Insula de Lanzarotous Marocelus", which was given by Angelino Ducert. However, the present name of the island was derived from the name Lancelotto Malocello, a Genoese navigator. In the native language, the modern name of the island was called "Titerro(y)gatra", which refers to red mountains.

Originally, the island of Lanzarote was created by the Canary hotspot about 35 million years ago. In 1912, Alfred Wegener came to the island and studied its relativity to his continental drift theory. According to him, the island was a result of the continental plate’s breakup of America and Africa. The greatest recorded volcanic eruptions in the island happened between the years of 1730 and 1736.

The island of Lanzarote is filled with five hundred various kinds of lichen and plants wherein 180 of the lichens are of different kinds and 17 of the plants are endemic. The lichens normally survive in selected suitable areas of the island such as the rock. It also introduce to its own weathering. Similar to succulents, lichens are adapted to the relative scarcity of the weather. The vegetation season blooms colorfully during the months of February and March right after the winter rainfalls.

The fauna life in the island of Lanzarote is more monotonous compared to its flora life. It had become a tourist attraction in the island exclusive of the bats and other kinds of mammals. The island has 35 kinds of animal species that include reptiles, falcon, and birds. Endemic creatures like the blind deep-water Remipedia crabs, and the Gallotia lizards are also living in the Jameos Del Agua lagoon of the island.

Vineyards with traditional methods of cultivation are protected within the island of Lanzarote as well. Each vine is planted in pits with 2-3 meters deepness and 4-5 meters width, and every pit is surrounded with small stonewalls. Today, these vineyards are part of the World Heritage Site.