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Lanzarote,
including the small islands of La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña
Clara, Roque del Este y del Oeste, covers 900 km² running
60 km north to south and only 20 km at its widest point.
Lanzarote
is made up of seven municipalities: Arrecife (the capital),
Teguise, Haría, San Bartolomé, Tías,
Tinajo and Yaiza, with an official population of nearly 100,000
inhabitants, mostly residing in the south-central part of
the island.
The
island was named after a Genoese navigator called Lancelotto
Malocello who arrived on the island during the second half
of the XIV century opening the way to successive expeditions
of French, British and Spanish sailors and merchants. Previously
the isles were known as the Fortunate Islands.
Fishing
and agriculture once formed the basis of the island’s economy
but have since been overtaken by the excellent quality of its
tourism industry.
Amongst
the most outstanding attractions are the Art, Culture and
Tourist Centres run under the auspices of the Insular Council.
The world famous artist César Manrique's sensitive
response to Lanzarote´s unique geography and people
was instrumental in creating a pervasive artistic identity
throughout the island.
Great
care has been taken in preserving its historical and artistic
heritage, its monuments and characteristic houses, local festivals
and customs... in short, the full expression of its culture
and folklore
In
1987 Lanzarote was declared one of the six universal models
of sustainable development by the World Tourism Organization
and in 1994 it was declared a Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO
Lanzarote
Flight from UK
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