Canary Island has a population about of 2.12 million people (2012) The capital of the Canary Island is La Palma located on the island of Tenerife At the Canary Islands it is eternal springtime, with average temperatures from 64-75 degrees Fahrenheit Flag/Coat of Arms:
History:The islands were found by Spanish explorers in the 14th and the 15th centuries and were conquered by the year 1500. The Guanches were a group of white colored natives who lived at the islands before European explorers landed, but unfortunately, their entire race and culture was vanished by the explorers. The economy of the islands has had its ups and downs and many groups of emigrants traveled to Central and South America, starting at to Venezuela and Cuba. After spending years working in the American countries, many would return to their homeland and show people part of the Latin American culture. Therefore, it has been a long tradition of cultural exchange between the islands and the Americas. Religion:
Similar to the rest of Spain, the Canary Islands are Roman Catholic. Religion is an important role in community life, all religious festivals are lavishly celebrated, and many fiestas are of a religious origin.
The present church was built in 1500 for Fr. Diego de Muros dean of Santiago. He was third Bishop of Las Palmas. The architect was done by Don Diego Montaude. The design is credited to him, though he was succeeded by Juan de Palacio. The structure was finished, and the first offices celebrated, on the eve of Corpus Christi, 1570, in the time of the fourteenth Bishop, Fr. Juan de Alzolares. The eighteenth century saw the reconstruction and refurbishment of the cathedral. Canary Island is made up of 7 island they are:
Tenerife- This island has something for everyone, Theme parks, golf, climbing/hiking, and beaches!
Fuerteventura- This island has spectacular beaches, with is white sand and turquoise waters!
Gran Canaria- This island is like its own miniature continent the possibilities of what you do are endless!
Lanzarote-This island is like a another part of the world, with its national parks, and green lagoon!
La Palma- This island is the best place for you to connect with nature, amid its volcanoes and forest!
La Gomera-This island is better known as the island of magic with its ancient leafy forests and its black sand beaches!
El Hierro- This is the smallest island but it is a paradise with its Richness of its forest and clear waters of the Marines reserve!
Food:
Puchero Canario - a stew similar to the concido madrileno. The broth of the stew is drained at eaten as soup for the first course, while the second course is eaten as vegetables and meat from the stew. The difference between the stews lies between the ingredients. The Puchero canario is made up of pumpkin, cabbage, sweet potatoes, pork and beef.
Papas Arrugadas - "wrinkled potatoes" are a popular side dish consisting of small potatoes boiled in salt water until soft, leaving the potatoes wrinkly and soft with a salt crust. Mojos - sauces served with potatoes, meat or fish. The two most common types are mojo picon - red pepper sauce, made from dried red peppers. Also there is mojo verde - green sauce, which can be made from coriander, cilantro, or parsley.
The Carnival:
The carnival is a festival that the people in the Canary islands celebrate. There is a different event each day filled with dancing and singing. Colorful Gala:The carnival queen is crowned in front of half of the population. Candidates parade through the streetsin stunning costumes made of feathers and rhinestones that usually take a whole year to make and weigh hundreds of kilos!
On the Street for the Mogollones:
The Mogollones are the carnivals biggest parties. Everyone gathers in the street to dance and sing. Everyone is welcome to this event and all you need is a big appetite for fun.
Funny Murgas:
At the Murgas, groups of friends add humor to events with funny and irreverent songs that reflect the famous local sense of humor. The Murga troops compete to sing the funniest and most entertaining songs at loud and bawdy galas.
A carnival for everyone:
The Canary islands are full of contrast and diversity and carnival is the time to celebrate them. Each island has their own traditions ranging from drag queen galas to epic talcum powder fights.
Burying the Sardine:
The carnival ends reluctantly with a final flourish. A joyous funeral procession where a giant sardine is paraded through the streets and then incinerated with a fireworks display. The carnival is over but until next year.
Sports:
In addition to the typical sports like football and basketball that Spain enjoys, the Canary Islands take sports to the next level.Canary Islanders have a wide range of traditional sports, most of which were made and developed by the Guanches.
Some Traditional sports are:
Lucha Canaria / Canarian Wrestling-this is one of the most popular sports in the Canary Islands. You compete on a traditional dirt wrestling ring. Wrestling matches are performed barefoot, each wrestler using various techniques in an attempt to unbalance his opponent. The goal is to stay on your feet, because if any part of your body other than your bare feet touches the ground, you lose the round.
Salto del Pastor / Shepherd's Leap-Using long poles, men essentially pole-vault their way down steep mountain sides at speeds that appear borderline out of control. It's an exciting adrenalin rush for its participants, you can't help but hold your breath as you watch these skilled jumpers fly down hill sides.
Bola Canaria / Canarian Boules-Unlike the other 3 Canary Island sports, Bola Canaria is not a Guanche-inspired game, although when the game was introduced the Guanches they excelled at it. Bola Canaria, which is like bowling, was once played with stones then with wooden balls; today's evolved version evolves resin balls.
Juego del Palo / Staff Fighting-is the Canarian take on fencing, minus the white outfits. It was developed as a self-defense training activities. There are training centers all throughout the island which promote the sport.The game is,two staff-wielding contestants engage in the sport, each trying to out-strategize his opponent. The attacker aims to touch the defender on uncovered parts of his body, but without full contact and never intending to cause injury. Depending on the region, the island and the type of game being played, this staff can be long or short. Short staffed is considered to be the trickiest.
The capital of the Canary Island is La Palma located on the island of Tenerife
At the Canary Islands it is eternal springtime, with average temperatures from 64-75 degrees Fahrenheit
History:The islands were found by Spanish explorers in the 14th and the 15th centuries and were conquered by the year 1500. The Guanches were a group of white colored natives who lived at the islands before European explorers landed, but unfortunately, their entire race and culture was vanished by the explorers. The economy of the islands has had its ups and downs and many groups of emigrants traveled to Central and South America, starting at to Venezuela and Cuba. After spending years working in the American countries, many would return to their homeland and show people part of the Latin American culture. Therefore, it has been a long tradition of cultural exchange between the islands and the Americas.
Religion:
Similar to the rest of Spain, the Canary Islands are Roman Catholic. Religion is an important role in community life, all religious festivals are lavishly celebrated, and many fiestas are of a religious origin.
Canary Island is made up of 7 island they are:
Food:
Papas Arrugadas - "wrinkled potatoes" are a popular side dish consisting of small potatoes boiled in salt water until soft, leaving the potatoes wrinkly and soft with a salt crust.
Mojos - sauces served with potatoes, meat or fish. The two most common types are mojo picon - red pepper sauce, made from dried red peppers. Also there is mojo verde - green sauce, which can be made from coriander, cilantro, or parsley.
The Carnival:
The carnival is a festival that the people in the Canary islands celebrate. There is a different event each day filled with dancing and singing.
Colorful Gala:The carnival queen is crowned in front of half of the population. Candidates parade through the streetsin stunning costumes made of feathers and rhinestones that usually take a whole year to make and weigh hundreds of kilos!
On the Street for the Mogollones:
The Mogollones are the carnivals biggest parties. Everyone gathers in the street to dance and sing. Everyone is welcome to this event and all you need is a big appetite for fun.
Funny Murgas:
At the Murgas, groups of friends add humor to events with funny and irreverent songs that reflect the famous local sense of humor. The Murga troops compete to sing the funniest and most entertaining songs at loud and bawdy galas.
A carnival for everyone:
The Canary islands are full of contrast and diversity and carnival is the time to celebrate them. Each island has their own traditions ranging from drag queen galas to epic talcum powder fights.
Burying the Sardine:
The carnival ends reluctantly with a final flourish. A joyous funeral procession where a giant sardine is paraded through the streets and then incinerated with a fireworks display. The carnival is over but until next year.
Sports:
In addition to the typical sports like football and basketball that Spain enjoys, the Canary Islands take sports to the next level.Canary Islanders have a wide range of traditional sports, most of which were made and developed by the Guanches.
Some Traditional sports are: