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The Island of Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is the closet island to the African coastline and can offer the holidaymaker three thousand hours of sunshine. The Fuerteventura is only 100 km from Cape Juby in Morocco and being on the same latitude as Mexico and Florida this makes Fuerteventura an ideal holiday location.
The island is generally regarded as the oldest of the Volcanic Islands. The last known eruption to take place dates back 7,000 years ago. The inland of Fuerteventura is very stony and rocky however most people visiting the islands are surprised to find that the beaches are some of the best in Europe. The island can boast over one hundred and fifty beaches of fine sand to enjoy yourself on.
Fuerteventura is well known for its water sports especially with those who enjoy windsurfing. Every July on the island the P.W.A world windsurfing speed and slalom event is held in the south of the island.
A primitive tribe of people known as the Guanches lived on Fuerteventura before Europeans invaded them as with all the canary islands. The word Fuerteventura comes from the ancient word goatskin shoe that was worn by the original inhabitants. It is believed that analysis taken from bones found on the island that they descend from the Berbers of North Africa. The island was divided by two rulers one in the south of the island Ayoze and one in the north Maxorata. It is believed that they lived in a polygamous society with each wife having three husbands. The main diet of these people was fish, shellfish and goats meat. The Guanches lived a very primitive life in caves and subterranean dwelling's a few that have been found and excavated.
Towns on Interest
Caleta de Fuste is also known as Castillo and is one of Fuerteventura's most popular tourist town.
As with a most tourist towns there has been large changes made. And Caleta de Fuste is no exception buildings are constantly being added to accommodate the rise in tourism.
The town has one long main street lined with low-rise buildings that are mostly bars and restaurants. The town also has many quiet tree lined streets and one which leads down to a man made beach.
Castillo now has a new Golf Course and clubhouse with restaurant and a bar. A new shopping complex close to the golf course with fine restaurants, shops and multiplex cinema is now open
There are plenty of water sports on offer in Caleta with its dive centre, boat trips and submarine excursions all available to the holidaymaker. With Caleta being centrally located this gives you a great opportunity to explore by car the rest of the island. The town in the evenings is ideal for families or for younger single groups there is a wide range of bars offering live entertainment Caleta de Fuste is ideally situated just 10 km south of the Airport for a short journey to and from the Airport.
Gran Tarajal
This is one of Fuerteventura's largest towns this was because of the port were the islands tomatoes were shipped from. If you make your way down to the harbour and look up behind you have a great view of the streets and alleys that are built into the hillside. The tomatoes that were shipped from Gran Tarajal now leave from Puerto del Rosario. The town is one of the most non- –tourist areas on the island with its police station, local council office, school and post office located here.
One of the town's highlights is the beautiful fountain with six sea horses spouting water. The fountain is located centrally in the middle of a group of shady trees next to the town's 20th century church.
An emigrant who returned from Cuba and also introduced metal wind-wheels to the island financed the town's church.
Betancuria
This was Fuerteventura's former capital and is located in a picturesque valley. The town dates back to approximately 1405 when Jean de Bethencourt founded it the reason why this town was chosen as a capital was for its location in helping the locals from being attacked by pirates. However the pirate Jaban attacked the town in 1593 and reduced it to rubble including the Santa Maria church. The church was not rebuilt until almost one hundred years later in 1691.
Betancuria remained the capital unto 1834 but its inhabitants had started to drift away before this. The land surrounding the town had become less arable with the river drying up in the 16th century. Betancuria finally bowed to the inevitable and the capital was moved to La Oliva who the in turn handed it to Puerto del Rosairo were it is today.
On the main street in Betancuria you can find the Casa Museo Arquebiologico two cannons flank this. The building contains many important and fascinating crafts belonging to the island history.
Next door is the Centro Insular de this building houses traditional arts and craft from the canaries.
The church now fully restored is open to the public from 10.00 –18.00 and also features a small museum within the church.
Betancuria is considered by most the place to visit if you wish to see and purchase local craft.
Antigua
Antigua is one of the islands oldest villages that dates back till the 18th century. The village has a population of about 3,000 people. The picturesque church that was built in 1785 dominates the village.
This church is only open to the public in the mornings alongside the church is a beautiful village square filled with flowers. Another of the village's main attraction is the beautifully restored windmill that is also a cultural centre. Despite the village giving you a sleepy impression you can find school, library, post office and clinic facilities on hand. The main economy for Antigua comes from agriculture and fishing though nowadays many locals find work in tourist resorts like Caleta de Fuste.
Fuerteventura's local TV station transmits from here and is located here just outside the village.
Pajara
This little picturesque town has only a very small population but its administration importance for the island is large. The town is decorated with small shrubs and shady trees and lovely lawned areas within the town. Outside the town hall you can find a disused camel powered watermill the town also has a freshwater swimming pool.
Pajara also thinks it is home to the most beautiful church on the island the Iglesia Nuestra Senora de la Regla was built between 1687 and 1711.
The church opens from 11am till 1pm and then again from 5pm till 7pm. A wealthy emigrant brought the virgin that can be seen standing in front of the altar to the island.
Vega de Rio Palma
Vega de Rio Palma is situated in the beautiful valley that bears the same name is one of the islands favourite areas. The church of Vega de Rio Palma is surrounded by greenery and has a small stream on the edge of it. Built in 1666 the Nuestra Senora de la Pena is worth visiting just even for its setting.
Just down from the church is a small white chapel at the altar hangs a painting showing the discovery of a statue that now hangs in the main church. When the pirate Jaban attacked the village in 1593 the statue was hidden and not found until the 17th century.
Puerto Del Rosario
Puerto Del Rosario has been the capital of Fuerteventura since 1860 located close to the Airport the capital now has a population of around 18,000 people. It was originally called Puerto de Cabras the town developed with its port during the 19th century and took the capital from La Oliva.
Puerto is the industrial hub of the island is not geared up for tourism although many tourists make a short day trip from Caleta de Fuste. The main street in Puerto Del Rosario has gone through some make over of recent and is now more pleasing on the eye. The harbour area is towns oldest part and has recently had a promenade added to it. There are further plans to add a tourist quarter to the town and a municipal park.
The capital continues to grow in size and has spread inland with new shopping areas and warehouses sprouting up. Puerto Del Rosario does have a museum that is worth visiting it is the former home of the exiled poet Miguel de Unamuno.
La Oliva
The village of La Oliva is home to the local district town hall and in the 17th century was considered to be the political capital of the island. In the heart of the town is the main church with its prominent bell tower visible for miles around. The main tourist attraction for the town is the Casa de los Coroneles this house is were the military governor's of the island resided.
The entrance of the building is adorned with the family coat of arms of a crown, tree and goat The wooden balconies surrounding the building are all beautifully carved and decorated. You can find the Casa Mane art centre located between the church and Casa de los Coroneles. Here you can see works from local canarian artists as well as sometimes exhibitions from mainland Spain.
The population today of La Oliva is about 10,000 strong living in area of 356 square kilometres.
