 Gran Canaria
Oasis golf courses in arid valleys
by Rene Bourone
On his
historical way to discover the West Indies, Christopher Colombus stopped at Las Palmas. In
fact the archipelago of Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean is the far south end of
Europe in front of Morocco and Gran Canaria's climate is known for being the "world's
best", attracting more than 2 million tourists per year. And golf courses are
spreading out as oasis in arid valleys.
Las Palmas, Decembre 2004
The first known tourist in Gran Canaria was Juba, king of
Morocco, then a roman colony, around the beginning of our calendar. Surprised to find
packs of huge savage dogs on that volcanic island with steep "barrancos"
(ravines), he baptised it 'Dog Island' which the Romans called 'Insulae Canariae'. Though
also called 'the islands of happiness' the dog name stuck up to our days. Nevertheless,
the Canary Islands didn't appear on the map before 1395 when the first Spanish ships
visited the archipelago taking over La Palma and Tenerife in the name of the Catholics
Kings. At that time, the native inhabitants called the "Guanches" still lived in
the stone ages
.
Portuguese and Spanish seafarer began to stop at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on their way
to India via the Good Hope Cape and one century later, Christopher Colombus confirmed the
destiny of its natural harbor using it for the last preparations of its seven crossing of
the Atlantic Ocean. Nowadays the people of Canary Islands have build a bridge between
Europe towards Africa and Latin America.
The southern point of Gran Canaria is just 210 km from the coast of the western Sahara of
Africa in the Atlantic Ocean at 1,250 km away from mainland Spain. With an almost circular
area of 1.553 square kms, Gran Canaria is also known as the "continent in
miniature" with its centre being a mountainous, volcanic region with peaks of 2.000 m
and an alpine climate. The north-west is greener (due to rains brought by the Trade Winds)
whilst the south remains arid and even desert like with the famous sand dunes of
Maspalomas. But it is where most of the tourist resorts have been established due to the
almost permanent sunny weather.
The sub-tropical climate of Gran Canaria remains constant
all year round. Rainfall levels of 10 inches per annum (mostly in January) alter only in
the northern part of the island which often receives up to a further 10 inches of rain
throughout the year. Crops grown here include bananas, oranges, coffee, dates, sugarcane
and tobacco whilst tomatoes and flowers are cultivated under immense tarpaulin. The local
fishing industry all around the island is also thriving all year round, seafood being the
basis of local food and gastronomy.
Canary climate benefits from the Trade Winds whose breeze protect it from extreme
temperatures. A study carried out by the University of Siracusa on 600 cities on five
continents concludes that the climate of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the best of the
world. It has made Canary one of the most attractive destination for tourists coming
mainly in winter times from cold countries. But as said Miguel Angel Dominquez, manager of
El Cortijo Golf Club : "Don't forget, summer here is very mild at 23/24° due the
Atlantic breeze. Its very good for playing golf."
 Where to play
What to see
Where to stay
Information |
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The Canarias, a bridge for Europe in Atlantic Ocean
National, provincial, local flags in Canarian winds
Las Palmas, famous avenida Maritima
Puerto Mogan and its elegant architecture
Golf in desert like here at Maspalomas
The Gran Canaria map
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