Lanzarote - Island Of Fire

Lanzarote lies just 62 miles off the coast of Saharan Africa and this speck of Spain is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. This location – on the same line of latitude as parts of Florida and Mexico - creates an enviable year round climate that is characterised by extremely low rainfall (on average of just six days per year) and temperatures that rarely fall below 20c – even in the winter months.

As a result, the island is a popular holiday destination all year round, attracting over one million visitors from the UK and Ireland in 2007. Drawn to Lanzarote´s ninety plus beaches – the vast majority of which boast fine golden sand.

Philosophers once speculated that the island was a remnant of the lost continent of Atlantis. In pre-Spanish times Phoenician Traders dubbed it the Purple Island – as a lichen called Orchilla that was used to make purple dye was once grown here in abundance. And during the Middle Ages Lanzarote was often referred to as one of the Fortunate Islands – due to this clement climate.

Today, Lanzarote is best known as the Island of Fire, as a result of the worlds longest ever volcanic eruption - lasting six years from 1730. Which covered around one third of the island in a layer of lava that today gives parts of Lanzarote the almost primeval appearance of a land that has just been formed – and is often likened to the surface of the moon.

For such a small island Lanzarote is big on attractions. Offering visitors much more than just beautiful beaches and volcanic vistas alone. Thanks in no small part to the efforts of the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique. Who not only fought to save Lanzarote from the sort of over development that has blighted other sunspots. But who also created some of the most unique tourist attractions imaginable – such as the Jameos Del Agua and the Mirador Del Rio.

As a result Lanzarote was declared a UNESCO protected biosphere in 1994. The first island in the world to enjoy such status.

Lanzarote also boasts enormous natural beauty and great contrasts in scenery. From the arid lava fields of the Timanfaya National Park in the South, through to the green and verdant Valley of 1,000 Palms in the North. And as the island is so manageably small it is easy to hire a car and discover Lanzarote´s many delights.

For more in-depth information about Lanzarote and a free 112 page Guidebook just visit www.lanzaroteguidebook.com