Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, close to the coast of Africa. Its location provides it with extraordinary weather conditions: Tenerife is a land of external spring, with average temperatures of 20 degrees in winter and 25 in the summer. The island´s capital is Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The island offers the visitor an endless variety of ecosystems, microclimates and scenery. Black-sand coves in the north and long golden beaches in the south; volcanic areas; enchanting walks; abrupt ravines; and a number of nature reserves. All these are there to be enjoyed through our contact with nature. One of the most impressive natural features is the volcano El Teide. At 3,718 metres, it is the highest point in Spain, the centrepiece of a major National Park and a privileged location for observing the firmament.

The island inspires adventure and all sorts of sport: trekking, sailing, surfing, horse-riding, paragliding and hang-gliding... the possibilities are endless.

		Santa Cruz

All this is supported by modern facilities that enable you to enjoy the island´s special natural charm. Tenerife also hosts an array of events throughout the year: theatre, the plastic arts, photography and, for lovers of classical music, the unmissable chance to attend performances of the renowned Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.

The island´s gastronomy is a further incentive. Tenerife has succeeded in retaining its most traditional recipes, while remaining open to new dishes, which explains why you may often find the most typical restaurants next to modern ones, offering the most contemporary cuisine. Delicious fish and seafood, tasty cheeses, excellent wines, honey and the traditional cereal gofio, all play a part in guaranteeing the richness of their dishes.
    
INTERESTING FACTS
 
- Area: 2.036 Km2
- Population: 700 thousand
- Municipals: 31
- Airports: 2
 
- National Parks: 1
- Natural Parks: 1
- Rural Parks: 2
- Protected areas: 9
 
Santa Cruz, the capital

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a cosmopolitan, happy and bright city. It looks out onto the sea, is full of interesting sites and has a marked island character. The city is ideal for taking a stroll and relaxing along its avenues and pedestrian streets.

Santa Cruz is above all a vibrant city, offering great cultural and leisure activities and a pedestrian shopping area. Its retail outlets offer all sorts of products and manufactured goods from all over the world, at very reasonable prices.

It has a port of great importance, a crossroad between Europe, Africa and America, visited by ships and cruise vessels of every nationality.

The capital is also an exceptional example of how tradition and modernity can merge to create a clearly rich architectural mix, given that you may find very close to one another streets of a typical Canarian style, next to modern buildings.

The cultural and leisure potential of Santa Cruz is extremely varied. Museums, art exhibitions and different types of shows take place throughout the year. Some of its gardens, squares and avenues are home to permanent sculpture exhibitions considered to be among the best in the world. And for the greatest music lovers, there are the concerts of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra _ Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife _ considered to be among the most prestigious in Europe.

Santa Cruz is the nerve centre of Tenerife´s internal communications and transport system and its connections with other islands makes it an ideal starting point for excursions to see the diversity of the rest of the island.

La Laguna, cultural city

La Laguna was declared a World Cultural and Heritage Site by Unesco in 1999. The city is the

		La Laguna

former administrative capital of the island and is currently the second largest urban centre, whilst remaining its religious capital. This monumental city comprises a historic group of buildings, which retain their original layout. The excellent state of conservation of the historical centre has not, however, stopped the city from adapting culturally to modern times.

The streets of the centre of La Laguna are full of important monuments and historic buildings, despite the fact that they house an appealing commercial activity, in which small family businesses have managed to survive many years. At these shops the traveller may find typical craftwork, items of the latest fashion, island wines and a whole array of traditional gastronomical products.

Located in the Valley of Aguere, a stroll through the city´s streets can surprise us with views in which the solemnity of the historical monuments contrasts with the surrounding hillside scenery. The hills of Las Mercedes and part of the Anaga Rural Park submerge the visitor in such an original setting. Additionally, being a university city provides it with an atmosphere ideal for both day-time and night-time leisure, as well as a cultural character. La Laguna´s small snack bars _ or tascas _ are an essential feature of this city´s nightlife, in which the young locals mix study with pleasure. Museums and exhibitions provide further opportunities for enjoying the full potential of this very different and charming city.