Tenerife – the island of “eternal spring”

Tenerife is a beautiful island with much contrasting scenery. Initial impressions in the south, are of a rather arid landscape, but that is very misleading. Apart from the awesome lunar landscape of the Las Canadas National Park, there are fertile mountain slopes and valleys, together with majestic barrancos (gorges). All of this is a far cry from the concentrated tourist hot spots of Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos.

Basic Facts About Tenerife

Tenerife is a maximum of 86 kilometres (53 miles) long and 56 kilometres (35 miles) wide and is the largest of the 7 Canary Islands
The island is approximately 1300 kilometress (808 miles) from mainland Spain and a little over 300 kilometres (186 miles) from the African coast (Western Sahara)

• Population: 839,000 (2006 census)
• Mount Teide at 3718 metres (12,198 ft) is higher than any peak on the mainland

Economy

Tourism is the main earner with over 5 million visitors annually servicing a population of over 800,000. This has also brought increased agricultural activity with high exports of potatoes, tomatoes, cut flowers and exotic fruits, plus tobacco and a wide range of wines. The banana industry thrives with the Spanish market protected from foreign competition.

Shopping

The variety of shopping available in Santa Cruz is in keeping with its city status. Calle Castillo and the parallel Calle Bethancourt Alfonso offer more than enough for those who need serious retail therapy. Designer labels and classy boutiques mingle with high street favourites along these bustling pedestrian streets. You will also not want to miss El Corte Ingles, Spain’s answer to Selfridges. New up market areas around El Duque on Costa Adeje are worth sampling as well.

Government

Under the Canarian Parliament, Tenerife has an island council (Cabildo Insular) followed by regional municipal units and town councils. There are 15 representatives in the Canarian Parliament, which has a legislative role, sets island budgets and sends representatives to the mainland parliament.

Language

Spanish (Castillian) although there are regional differences. It has a distinctive accent with many similarities to South American Spanish. Peninsula Spanish can sometimes be looked down upon.