The Canary Islands

Lanzarote, the northernmost island in the Canary archipelago, appears like a foreign planet. The silhouettes of rugged volcanic mountains, black lava fields, and the unique light make the island resemble a surreal work of art. It is a place where astronauts simulate their journey to the moon and where humans must submit to the forces of nature.

Gran Canaria has around fourteen different climatic zones, and volcanic mountains that rise from the centre of the island to the coast. It is within these landscapes that ocean winds bring rain to the lush northeast. In contrast, the island of Fuerteventura is among the driest regions in Europe.

The island of Tenerife is famous for its volcanic cone of Mount Teide, which is over 3,700 metres tall. Tenerife has been shaped by this volcanic activity. While violent eruptions are rare nowadays, earthquakes remain relatively frequent on the island.

Once devoid of life, the two smallest islands of the Canary Islands, La Gomera and El Hierro, eventually became colonised by animals and plants that arrived from the sea. The giant lizard of El Hierro, thought to be extinct, was rediscovered about fifty years ago.

In 2021, on the island of La Palma, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted with a loud roar. Thousands of homes and farmlands were damaged or destroyed. But the island's biodiversity did not vanish.