a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean 100–120 km off the northwestern coast of Africa. They are part of the territory of Spain and administratively have been divided by Spain into two provinces: Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The most important islands are Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Fuerteventura. Area of the islands, 7, 300 sq km; total population, 1.2 million (1970 census). The basic population consists of Spaniards, into whom have merged groups of the local population, the Guanches. The language spoken is Spanish, and the religion is Catholicism.
The islands were formed by basalt; there are many extinct and active volcanoes (on Tenerife, Palma, and Lanzarote). The maximum elevation is 3, 718 m (the active volcano Teide on the island of Tenerife). The climate is tropical and characterized by trade winds; it is moderately hot and dry. Annual precipitation amounts to 300–500 mm. Growing on the slopes of the volcanoes are evergreen shrubs and forests. The flora includes many indigenous species (the dragon tree, Canary fig palm, Canary pine).Bananas, grains, potatoes, citrus fruits, tobacco, grapes, and beans are cultivated. Livestock raised includes goats, sheep, and cattle. Fishing is also important, and there are climatic resorts. The Canary Islands constitute an important transit base in the Atlantic Ocean. The principal cities and major ports are Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.[11–938]