01.02.08
Atlantis
Mentioned for the first time by Plato, Atlantis – “the legendary lost continent of antiquity” has haunted men’s minds for countless centuries”.
The Canary Islands, due to their dramatic volcanic structure, beautiful landscapes, idyllic climate and Atlantic Ocean position have been bestowed such grand names as “Atlantis”, “Hesperides Garden” and “the Elysian Fields” over the years.
Set adrift “beyond the pillars of Hercules”, just miles from the Sahara Desert, looking out towards the Caribbean, these Spanish Islands certainly do have a very romantic sounding location.
The Happy Islands
The Canaries are famous for their spectacularly diverse natural landscapes – some of the most impressive in Spain. The archipelago is home to everything from snow-capped mountain peaks and formidable cliffs to massive geological parks, Volcanoes, deserts and rainforests
Tenerife is home to Spain’s highest mountain peak – Mount Teide that stands at a staggering 3.718 metres and has a looming presence everywhere you go on the island.
The archipelago is made up of: La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and El Hierro.
Apart from their volcanic nature, the islands don’t have a lot in common. They’re all vastly different from each other.
Fuerteventura for example, is almost a desert whereas La Gomera is a lush green paradise. Lanzarote has a weird red Martian-like landscape, that’s been the setting for many sci-fi movies including Planet of the Apes.
The scenery changes dramatically in the Canaries. Driving on any individual island you’ll pass by an impressive variety of landscapes, climate, flora and fauna in no time. On Tenerife, you can drive from a desert-like south to a lush green north in just 40 minuetes.
Canarian Climate
Another title bestowed on these paradise islands is the “Islands of Eternal Springtime”. The Canaries have arguably the “best” climate the world – certainly the most pleasant.
Temperatures hover between a cosy 24ºC in summer and a refreshing 18ºC. in winter. It really does feel like perpetual springtime, never too hot or cold – just right.
The archipelago is located 4º north of the Tropic of Cancer and they’re so close to the African mainland that they have a very similar climate subtropical climate.
The Surrounding Atlantic Ocean stays warm throughout the year, so it’s perfect for watersports, sunbathing, and swimming in winter, summer, spring and autumn. The ocean currents help to maintain the luke-warm Ocean at its corresponding latitude.
With a warm and sunny climate all year long, the Canaries are Spain’s only true winter sun destination. They’ve become a haven for sun-starved northern Europeans who come here to escape the cold and bleak winter months.
Canarian History
The first inhabitants of the Canaries were a mysterious race know as the Guanches. They were described by early European visitors as incredibly beautiful – a muscular and tall white race, many of whose members had blonde hair.
Where they came from and how they managed to arrive on the Canaries is still a bit of a mystery but most agree that they came from the same stock as the Berbers from the Atlas Mountains in Northwest Africa.
When they arrived in the Canaries (by whatever means) they already had their animals (goats, sheep, pigs and dogs) with them along with wheat and barley.
Investing in Paradise – Monte Leon (Gran Canaria)
One of the most exclusive residential areas in Gran Canaria (and the Canaries) is Monte Leon.
Located high up in the hills, above the noise and the nightclubs, Monte Leon is a haven of peace and tranquillity set amidst some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the archipelago. The views from here are simply divine.
The villas here are regarded as some of the most exclusive on the island – home to the likes of Leonard Bernstein, the famous composer and former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. Try the following link to see the latest Gran Canaria Villas for sale.
There are purposely less than 30 villas in Monte Leon. It was constructed this way in order to preserve its exclusivity. All properties have been carefully constructed so that they blend in and complement the surround landscape.
Monte Leon offers the best of both worlds – This secluded peaceful oasis up in the hills is just stone’s throw away from civilisation.