Karl WP Beyer The "desert island" Fuerteventura is the second largest of the seven Canary Islands after Tenerife. The age of the volcanic island is estimated to be 20 to 22 million years. Geologists declared Fuerteventura to be the oldest island in the Canary Archipelago. Last volcanic activity occurred 4.000 or 5.000 years ago. Fuerteventura's landscape is characterized by volcanic cones and "Malpais", cooled lava flows.
Fuerteventura - view from the No Hay Monumento
Fuerteventura - island with high tourist potential
Fuerteventura is unique. Long beaches, a desert-like interior and a total of 13 nature reserves are the special features of the island. It is popular with beach vacationers, water sports enthusiasts and hiking tourists alike. The number of visitors is put at more than two million per year. Most guests arrive through Puerto del Rosario International Airport. Ferries to Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Morocco run from various places on the island. The island's road network is well developed.
Puerto del Rosario
In addition to tourism, agriculture is the island's second mainstay. The production of goat cheese and the cultivation of tomatoes are important. The medicinal plant aloe vera has recently been grown in various places. There are still many mills on and on the hills. They make "Gofio". The roasted grain is an important ingredient in the production of typical island dishes.
Molino de Tefia
Fuerteventura: facts and figures
Geologists consider the Canary Islands to be part of Africa. Fuerteventura is the closest island to the African continent. Hardly more than 100 kilometers separate Fuerteventura from Morocco. With 66 inhabitants per square kilometer, the island is sparsely populated. Fuerteventura is 98 kilometers long and a maximum of 30 kilometers wide. The highest point is the 807 meter high Pico de la Zarza. It is located in the south of the island in the Parque Natural Jandía.
Fuerteventura is known as the "beach of the Canaries". With a coastline of 325 kilometers, beaches account for 75 kilometers. They are divided into 55 kilometers of sandy and 20 kilometers of pebble beaches. The sandy beaches are in the north and south of the island. The beach sections in the middle part consist of black sand. The neighboring island of Lanzarote is ten kilometers further north as the crow flies. The six square kilometer Isla de Lobos rises between the two Canary Islands.
The climate is dry and warm all year round. Compared to the neighboring islands further to the west, there is little rainfall on Fuerteventura. The annual mean is less than 150 mm. The whole year round there is a desert-like, dry climate. The reason: the island has no high mountains. The clouds move over Fuerteventura and don't rain down.
Tindaya Mountain
Around 110.000 people lived on the island at the end of 2013. With around 35.000 inhabitants, Puerto del Rosario is the largest city in Fuerteventura. It is also the island's capital.
Fuerteventura for crusaders
The year 2019 sees 76 calls by cruise ships in Puerto del Rosario. During a Canary Islands cruise, Fuerteventura is a great travel destination because of its overwhelming landscape. The beautiful city beach of Puerto del Rosario is within sight of the small cruise terminal. But why spend a day on the beach when Fuerteventura offers unique landscapes?
Puerto del Rosario - Muelle de Cruceros
Compared to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura lacks spectacular historical buildings or outstanding churches. Cruise companies offer their guests tried and tested half-day or full-day tours, preferably in the north of the island. That's not a bad idea. As individualists, we recommend renting a car instead of a bus excursion. We also prefer the tour through the north of the island. Under Road trip Fuerteventura - explore the north of the island by rental car we present you the highlights of this day trip.