Flora of the Canary Islands. Geography of the Canary Islands: Lanzarote. Flora and vegetation of the Canary Islands

Lanzarote

     Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands. It is also the fourth-largest island and is popularly known as the ‘Island of Volcanoes’, as it is characterised by the volcanic layer that covers much of its surface, a result of the intense volcanic activity in the early 18th century.
     Lanzarote lies approximately 140 km from the north-western coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the nearest point on the European continent, the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Its northernmost point is Cape Fariones, and its southernmost point is Punta del Papagayo. It has a subtropical climate with low rainfall. It covers an area of 845.93 km² and has a population of 159,021.
     It comprises seven municipalities, the most populous of which is Arrecife, the island’s capital. To the north of the island lie the island of La Graciosa and the uninhabited islets of Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste, which form the Chinijo archipelago, administratively part of Lanzarote.
     Las Peñas del Chache, situated in Haría and standing at an altitude of 671 metres, is the island’s highest peak. Lanzarote was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993. Furthermore, the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Areas includes a total of 13 natural areas on this island, covering more than 40 per cent of the island’s territory, amongst which the Timanfaya National Park stands out.