Tenerife Nature Reserves Canary Islands Tenerife Spain

Tenerife's Volcano The flower of Paradise from Tenerife submarine photo in Tenerife

As the island of Tenerife was formed by volcanic eruptions, and taking into account its enviable position in the Atlantic Ocean, the weather conditions have played a very important role in the formation of the rugged terrain.

When most people talk about the landscape of Tenerife, they are normally referring to the National Park of Mount Teide. But if you take a tour and closer look at the island, you will see how the island changes, not only from north to south but from sea level to the pinnacle of Mt. Teide.

Perhaps the most easily accessible and visited landmark on the southwest coast of the island is at Los Gigantes, where the Teno Mountain Range rises from the ocean depths with stunning 500 metres-high sheer cliffs. While the best views of the cliffs can be enjoyed from the ocean, when seen for the first time even from terra firma, you will be excused for just standing there and taking in the scenery. As the sun sets, the cliffs take on a life of their own changing colour a thousand times, and when it has rained in the mountains, streams and waterfalls cascade down the face of the cliff and disappear into the Atlantic Ocean.

In nearby Alcala that is a small coastal fishing village, at the side of the main road there are telltale signs of centuries old volcanic eruptions, where lava flows stretch all the way back from the coast to Mount Teide. Within a few kilometres of the Islands capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Anaga Mountains are covered with laurel forests that flourish from the nightly condensation that come from the clouds.

The north coast of Tenerife between Tacoronte and Garachico rises steeply from the ocean, and the land is extremely fertile. Huge banana plantations cover much of the land, and this fruit represents only a small portion of that which is produced both for the home market and export.

In recent years, the landscape in the south of the island has changed mainly because of the large amount of residential and light commercial development. Many villages and small towns have outgrown their boundaries; new golf courses have completely changed the once bleak appearance and massive greenhouses are the home to millions of banana plants.

Tomatoes, avocados and potatoes, are but a few of the many different fruit and vegetables that are produced by hundreds of farms throughout the area, and these farmers usually sell their products through a co-operative that guarantees a price and rapid distribution.

New vineyards are being planted on land that has stood barren for all time. The land is so fertile and the weather so kind that grapes flourish during the growing season, and the Tenerife wine industry is now one of the most important in Spain.

Tenerife Nature park and Volcanoes
As the island of Tenerife was formed by volcanic eruptions, and taking into account its enviable position in the Atlantic Ocean, the weather conditions have played a very important role in the formation of the rugged terrain. When most people talk about the landscape of Tenerife, they are normally referring to the National Park of Mount Teide. But if you take a tour and closer look at the island, you will see how the island changes, not only from north to south but from sea level to the pinnacle of Mt. Teide. Perhaps the most easily accessible and visited landmark on the southwest coast of the island is at Los Gigantes, where the Teno Mountain Range rises from the ocean depths with stunning 500 metres-high sheer cliffs. While the best views of the cliffs can be enjoyed from the ocean, when seen for the first time even from terra firma, you will be excused for just standing there and taking in the scenery. As the sun sets, the cliffs take on a life of their own changing colour a thousand times, and when it has rained in the mountains, streams and waterfalls cascade down the face of the cliff and disappear into the Atlantic Ocean. In nearby Alcala that is a small coastal fishing village, at the side of the main road there are telltale signs of centuries old volcanic eruptions, where lava flows stretch all the way back from the coast to Mount Teide. Within a few kilometres of the Islands capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Anaga Mountains are covered with laurel forests that flourish from the nightly condensation that come from the clouds. The north coast of Tenerife between Tacoronte and Garachico rises steeply from the ocean, and the land is extremely fertile. Huge banana plantations cover much of the land, and this fruit represents only a small portion of that which is produced both for the home market and export. In recent years, the landscape in the south of the island has changed mainly because of the large amount of residential and light commercial development. Many villages and small towns have outgrown their boundaries; new golf courses have completely changed the once bleak appearance and massive greenhouses are the home to millions of banana plants. Tomatoes, avocados and potatoes, are but a few of the many different fruit and vegetables that are produced by hundreds of farms throughout the area, and these farmers usually sell their products through a co-operative that guarantees a price and rapid distribution. New vineyards are being planted on land that has stood barren for all time. The land is so fertile and the weather so kind that grapes flourish during the growing season, and the Tenerife wine industry is now one of the most important in Spain.