About Tenerife.com: Origins of the island- As the rest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is also a son of Pluton. While the volcanic development of the eastern islands started more than 20 Million years ago, the oldest mountain ranges of Tenerife arised from the Atlantic much later (about 8 to 12 Million years ago). At least 3 Million years ago it was believed that there were 3 islands with the Anaga, Teno and Valle San Lorenzo mountainranges. In a tremendous volcanic process the old central volcano and the great mountain range (Cumbre Dorsal) melted together into what we know today as Tenerife. Presumably the top of the volcano did not explode but collapsed in it's own crater and is now one of the greatest collapsed craters of the world (Las Cañadas). This oval crater is at it's longest distance about 17Km long. 500.000 years ago the last stage of volcanic activity in Tenerife took place. The 'Pico Viejo' (old peak) erupted first and some time later the higher 'Pico del Teide'. This last one has on it's top a sulphur coat surrounding it. The last volcano eruption in Tenerife happened near the village of Santiago del Teide in 1909.
Mysterious Guanches-
The natives of Tenerife where known as the bravest and most feared from the canary inhabitants. They were cavern men and they balsamated their deceased people in caves and prayed for their peaceful rest. From the rests of mummies we can afirm the northwest african origin. Likewise from some vestiges from spoken and written language which made the conquest of the spaniards over the Guanches much more difficult. A few years ago a stone was found. It has the symbols 'Z(a)N(a)T(a)' engraved on it, which suposedly has some sort of a connection to the same name with a bereber origin. No definitive explication has been given until yet. Likewise there are only theories and speculations of the way the Guanches even arrived the first time to the islands. European reports affirm that the natives did not have any knowledge about seecraft. It is also very peculiar that there were not even connections between the very near island of La Gomera and Tenerife. Another mistery is why the Guanches did not make any evolution in time despite the many visits from the Fenician, Punician and Romans.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Tenerife (English also
Teneriffe), a Spanish island, is the largest of the seven
Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is located at 28°19 N 16°34 W and has a surface area of 2 034 km
2. Like the rest of the Canary Islands, it is of volcanic origin. The highest point of Spain,
Teide (3 718 m), is on this island. The island is part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It includes 31 municipalities. The largest city, Santa Cruz, is the capital of the island and seat of the
cabildo insular (island government); it is also the capital of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and officially co-capital of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands together with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, although clearly behind this one in terms of population, industry, tourism or gross domestic produce. The village Güímar is the site of the mysterious
Pyramids of Güímar. The island's population is 778,071.
Tourism - is concentrated more in the south of the island, which is hotter and drier and especially around Playa de las Americas, and Los Cristianos. More recently coastal development has grown northwards from Playa de las Americas and now encompasses the former small enclave of La Caletta.In the north of the island the main development for tourism has been in the town of Puerto de la Cruz.
Transportation - The island of Tenerife is served by two airports, the Los Rodeos or Tenerife Norte and the Reina Sofia Airport or Tenerife Sur. A fast, toll-free major highway (autopista del sur and autopista del norte) almost encircles the island, linking all the main towns. The exception is in the west from Adeje to Icod de los Vinos, which is traversed by a smaller mountain road. However, plans are now afoot to complete the autopista. Away from the major highway, driving is generally slow and difficult, with steep, winding narrow roads, mainly unlit and often with drops either side of the main carriageway surface. Public transport on the island is provided by a network of buses (Guaguas) and run by T.I.T.S.A. who operate a fleet of modern, air-conditioned buses which, generally, run on time. Drivers are helpful and the mix of tourists and 'locals' (especially in the resort areas) makes for an interesting ride, not to mention it being one of the best ways to actually see the island. Santa cruz will have a tranvia (railway) about 2007 too.
