Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands represent a natural pathway between Europe, Africa and America,
at a distance of 1.000 Km. from mainland Spain and just 100 Kilometers from the African
coast. To the north of the island of Lanzarote a small group of islets called Archipielago Chinijo
represents the closest point between Europe and the Canary Islands.
Lanzarote stands on the northeastern tip of the Canarian Archipelago. With a land mass a little over 800 km2, it
displays a low profile, the highest point being at 700 meters over sea level. The island has a volcanic origin, a
fact that can easily be found throughout. The aboriginies of the Canary Islands, called guanches
have disappeared, but they have left behind numerous artifacts and traces of their life. In 1312 the Genevan seafarer
Lanceloto Malocello arrived at this island, thus giving it its name. In 1402 the conquest of the Canary Islands by the
Spanish Kingdom began, starting off from the island of Lanzarote.
The conquest of Lanzarote was fairly peaceful in nature, although the final pacification of the entire archipelago
took near 100 years. Lanzarote was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1993. The island and its people have always
strived to keep economic growth from altering the island's natural resources. The government regulates all use of
land over the island, with specific rules to contain construction. There are twelve areas in the island which
are also protected by the Canary Islands government as Natural Spaces. The island boasts one of the 12 Spanish National
Parks at Timanfaya.