Hot Holidays On The Cool Canary Island
Of the seven islands that make up the Canary Island chain Lanzarote is the most easterly. And is located just off the West coast of Africa – close to what was once known as the Spanish Sahara – around seventy miles away.
Just like this near neighbour Lanzarote has a very dry and arid climate, characterised by very low rainfall – on average just 9mm a month. With temperatures maintaining a minimum of around 20c all year round. Two factors which help to make Lanzarote a popular year round holiday destination too.
As a result of these favourable conditions Lanzarote is hugely popular with tourists from Northern Europe. And the UK is the islands number one market – with around 800,000 British tourists arriving on flights to Lanzarote during the course of 2007. Bolstered by a further 200,000 plus visitors from the Republic of Ireland. Who visit Lanzarote more than any other destination in the whole of Spain.
Lanzarote has enjoyed a number of unusual appellations over the years. It was once thought to be part of the lost continent of Atlantis. Whilst during the Middle Ages it was known as one of the Fortunate Islands – due to this great year round climate that is often likened to an eternal Spring.
Today Lanzarote is best known as the Island of Fire though. Thanks to the fact that around one quarter of the land here was submerged by a sea of molten lava, as Lanzarote was subjected to a terrifying six year long volcanic eruption. Which started in 1730. Driving many islanders to flee and seek new lives abroad.
These eruptions actually increased the size of the island by around one quarter. And obviously caused widespread devastation at the time – as some of the most fertile farming land on the island was submerged beneath a sea of molten lava. Forcing many Lanzaroteños to emigrate abroad. Today however the volcanoes that caused this devastation are Lanzarote´s most popular tourist attraction. With the Timanfaya Volcano Park attracting over one million visitors every year.
Thanks to Manrique Lanzarote has a lot more to offer tourists than just water parks and golf courses alone – as is so often the case in other Spanish sunspots. And allied with great year round weather these factors have helped to encourage many visitors to invest in the Lanzarote property market. Enabling them to rent their villa or apartment out to tourists or enjoy it for their own holidays.
For great deals on hotels in Lanzarote and Lanzarote property visit the Lanzarote guide book.
