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The Canary Islands


Canaries are small finches native to the Canary Islands
that was named after the Canary islands


The Canary Islands were named Canaria because of the
descriptions of the large numbers of wild dogs roaming the
islands.

Canaria is derived from the Latin canis meaning dog.


The Canary Islands are supposed to have given birth to the Greek
myth of the Garden of Hesperides.

In Greek mythology, the Hesperides are nymphs who tend a blissful
garden in a far west corner of the world.

Additionally, Hesperides (also called Fortunate Isles) is a name
given by the ancients to a series of islands located to the
extreme west of the then known world. These may have included the
Canary Islands.


Before the fifteenth century the Canary Islands were inhabited
by an isolated Stone Age people called Los Guanches.

Columbus stopped in the Canary Islands on all four of his
voyages to the New World as did many other Spanish explorers.


The French mariner Jean de Bethencourt began the
conquest of the islands in 1402 and was made king of the Canaries
in 1404 by the Castilian ruler Henry III. Claimed by Portugal,
the islands were recognized as Spanish possessions by a treaty
negotiated in 1479. Spanish conquest of the islands was completed
by the late 1490s.


The Canary group of islands consist of 7 larger islands
(Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Palma,
Gomera, Hierro) and a few smaller ones (Alegranza, Graciosa,
Montaņa Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste und Lobos).

All were similarly formed by volcanic upheavals, creating
dramatic mountains and craters and spectacular scenery.

The Canary Islands are essentially agricultural with a
mild climate and constant temperature throughout the year.
Their soil is usually fertile, though subject to frequent
droughts. The Canary Islands produces an abundance of fruits,
sugar-cane, and tobacco.

Four of Spain's 13 national parks are located in the Canary
Islands, more than any other autonomous community


See Also:

The most famous canary is Tweety Bird of Looney Tune fame.

Canaries in Coal Mines

Keeping Canaries as Pets

American Singer Canaries



Stuffed Plush Birds

Calendars Starring Cheerful Canaries and Birds