Gran Canaria or ‘Grand Canary’ is one of the Islands that make up the Canary Islands. These are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the west Coast of the African continent. It is located south-east of Tenerife and West of Fuerteventura.
Gran Canaria has a climate suitable for holidaymakers who want a warm climate all the year round, indeed Gran Canaria package deals are popular with holidays makers for this reason. Between July and September the average temperature is 26 degrees Celsius. In winter the temperature rarely drops beneath 20 degrees Celsius in daytime. Hot south-easternly winds from the Sahara desert on the African mainland can bring temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius. Rainfall averages 228mm with the summer months normally rainless.
Gran Canaria has been called a ‘minature continent’ due to the variety of climates and landscapes. UNESCO have classed the Island a Biosphere Reserve. The island gets 2.2 milliuon tourists annually, particularly those seeking Gran Canaria package deals. Gran Canaria holidays makers flock to the warmer South side of the Island. The more mountainous North gets fewer visitors. Gran Canaria Islands east coast is flat dotted with Beaches while the West coast is rockier.
Gran Canaria Island has 32 natural protected spaces including the Doramas Jungle, Rural park of Nublo, the ravine of Azuaje and Pino Santo. The Palmitos Park is an internationally renowned subtropical park on the south of the Island. The Palmitos park is a large 200,000 m squared botanical garden. Beautiful views and vistas abound from the park and there is the opportunity to see Birds of Prey, Parrots, swans and ducks. In all there are 230 different species. As well as this there are crocodile to watch out for, monkeys, an orchid house, an aquarium and one of Europes largest butterfly houses. There are also different species of hummingbirds near the souvenir shop.
Playa del Ingles is a popular destination for Gran Canaria Holidays it offers a large selection of bars, and restaurants. The town has a long beach made of sand dunes and is part of the municipality of San Bartolome de Tirajana. The population was over 17000 in 2002 and growing. Hotels, bars and villas flank the towns beachand is popular for Gran Canaria package deals seekers.
The northern part of the Island had a famous natural rock monument in El Dedo De Dios or ‘God’s Finger’ - A thin rock shaped finger sat atop the outcrop of rock but; during a tropical storm delta in November 2005 the finger dropped off and fell into the sea destroying its unique appearance. A commission was set up to see if the finger could be cemented back onto the rock outcrop but, it was rejected.
The capital of the Island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is known for its annual carnival and for Las Canteros beach. It was famously the first stop of Christopher Columbus on his way back from his exploration of the Americas. The hermitage of San Antonio Abad commemorates Columbus’s prayer. The Cathedral, the Museo Canario and the Plaza del Espiritu Santo are other attractions of the capital.
The municipality of teror holds an effigy of the paron saint of the canary Islands the Virgen del Pino (Virgin of the Pine). The town of Teror is a pilgrimage place for Canary Islanders and will appeal to holidaymakers and those on package deal holidays in Gran Canaria.
Whilst Gran Canaria package deals are popular with tourists for the sun, surf and sand, don’t miss the fascinating history and and biodiversity this island has to offer its Gran Canaria holidays makers.