Destination Information

Historical overview

before 800 BC Homer and other poets of antiquity write of the "Islands of the Blessed". Later, Phoenicians and Carthaginians land on the archipelago. 1312 The Genoese Lancelotto Malocello sets foot on the island and builds the first fortress above Teguise. Lanzarote is named after him. 1433 - 1479 The Portuguese and Spanish dispute the Canary Islands with each other. In the Treaty of Alácovas, the archipelago is finally awarded to Spain. 16th - 17th century The slave trade flourishes on Lanzarote with abductees from the African coast. In return, Berbers and Algerian pirates plunder and pillage Arrecife and Teguise several times and kidnap hundreds of Lanzaroteños. 1730 - 1736 Devastating volcanic eruptions ravage Lanzarote. A large part of the population emigrates to Latin America. 1852 Arrecife becomes the capital, the Canary archipelago is declared a free trade zone. 1927 Lanzarote is united with Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura to form the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. 1936 - 1939 Francisco Franco, military commander of the Canary Islands, stages a coup against the government in Madrid. The civil war brings economic decline and political isolation. From 1960 Tourism discovers the island and replaces agriculture as the most important industry. 1975 After Franco's death, political liberalisation begins. Tourism experiences a boom. 1982 The Canary Islands receive autonomous status. The "Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias" is now one of Spain's 17 autonomous communities. 1983 On 30 May 1983, the first parliament of the "Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias" convenes. 1986 When Spain becomes a member of the EC, the Canary Islands are granted special status as a free trade zone. 1987 The recession stops the building boom. Instead, the quality of the tourist infrastructure is improved. 1993 César Manrique's life's work is honoured with the designation of Lanzarote as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO