LANZAROTE - Canary Isles information - Spain Tourism
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The easternmost of the islands, closest
to Africa and its abrasive winds, Lanzarote is also the island with
the lowest altitude and the greatest scarcity of water. Faced with
these difficulties (heightened by the thick layer of lava covering
the land), the inhabitants did not lose heart. An epic form of agriculture
has developed on the island, involving "wells" that are
sunk into the ground (up to ten metres deep) in order to reach the
'fertile earth under the lava. Shaped in the form of an inverted cone,
these holes are protected by low walls facing north-west, from where
the African wind blows. The system is the best way to capture the
scant humidity in the atmosphere and protect the plants from the drought.
This is the Geria landscape, impressive in its colour and in the texture
of the land, and in the islanders' struggle and victory over such
hostile circumstances.
Timanfaya national park
Lanzarote is a biosphere reserve, and contains a number
of protected areas. Perhaps the most spectacular is the Timanfaya
national park, spread over 200 square kilometres which were burnt
by successive volcanic eruptions that took place between 1730 and
1736, many of which were recounted by a priest from the island. What
most impress visitors are the montañas del Fuego or Fire mountains,
where in certain spots (well known by the guides), a branch stuck
into a crevice will quickly burn. Another favourite among the guides
is to pour water into tubes inserted only a few centimetres into the
ground, producing momentary artificial geysers. It shows how there
is still volcanic activity under the island's surface. The Lanzarote
artist Cesar Manrique and his team adapted tourist visits to the island,
respecting and highlighting the natural conditions, without human
activity degrading the environment. It became the ideal model for
what is known as sustainable tourism. |
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