The Island

Gran Canaria has a central position in the archipelago.  It is 210 km from Cabo Jubi in the Occidental coast of Africa and 1,250 km from Cadiz, the nearest european continental trading port.  It is round shaped, its axis has 49 by 48 km and its total surface is of 1,532 squared km. Gran Canaria is framed by sky, sea and mountains in an incredible marine scenery.  Its maximum altitude is of 1,949 metres and we can find it in El Pico de las Nieves, which is placed in the geographical centre of the island: its profile, is therefore that of a conical mountain which reaches its end in a wide central platform in the summits.  The sides of the cone appear to be lined with cliffs and ravines with outstanding rugged areas.

From the northeast to the southeast of the island, the central range delimits two big areas which are different in climate and in scenery; the islanders name them as north and south.  The north part of the island is the most inhabited one as well as the most productive one, and the south part is the most touristic one.