Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is an island in the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Like the whole archipelago, it is part of Spain and is its second largest island. Together with the islands of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, they form the province of Las Palmas. The area of ​​the island is 1,660 km2. It has about 107,000 inhabitants.
The name “Fuerteventura” does not have a clear meaning. The first part of the word, fuerte, means “strong”, but the word ventura can be a designation for “happiness”, “adventure” or “wind”.
It has the longest coastline, on which there are more than 150 natural wide beaches. The temperature is usually between 18 and 40 ° C. The highest peak is Mount JandÃa (807 m), which lies in the southwest of the island. The landscape is mostly deserted, the surface is formed by volcanic rocks and the climate is very dry. The wind brings sand from the Sahara to the island, which helps create new beaches on the east coast.
The first tourist hotel was built in 1965, followed by the construction of Fuerteventura Airport in El Matorral. Fuerteventura, with its 3,000 sundials a year, has a strong position on the world stage as a major European holiday destination. Although the island has well-developed tourist facilities, it has not experienced such a rapid development as the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. It is a destination especially for European tourists.
Summer trade winds and winter pressure below the Atlantic Ocean make the island a surfer’s paradise all year round. The most popular are the more exposed areas on the north and west coasts, such as Corralejo and El Cotillo. The clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean attract whales, dolphins, tuna and turtles.
Excellent sandy beaches are located in many places. Western beaches, such as the beaches around El Cotillo, are especially popular with surfers. Popular are the beaches adjacent to the extensive sand dunes on the east of the island around the Corralejo area, as well as the protected sandy coast of Playa de Sotavento de Jandia on the south-east coast between Costa Calma and Morro Jable. Nudism is allowed on almost all beaches.
Much of the hinterland, with its vast plains, plateaus and volcanic mountains, consists of protected areas. However, they are accessible to tourists.
Visa requirements | There are no visa requirements for citizens of the European Union. |
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Languages spoken | Spanish |
Currency used | EUR |
Country name | Kingdom of Spain / Spain |