Tenerife is probably one of the last European paradise isles. The “Island of Eternal Springtime”, is the largest of the Canary Islands. It offers lush forests, exotic fauna and flora, deserts, mountains, volcanos, sometimes snow, incredibly beautiful coastlines and spectacular beaches.

Agriculture and tourism are the island's economic mainstays. The Canary Islands are a volcanic region of Spain located off the northwestern coast of Africa, some 1,500 kilometres south east of the Spanish mainland. A scenic island, it is dominated by Mt. Teide, a snowcapped volcanic peak (12,198 ft/3,718 m). Surrounding the volcanic crater is the Teide National Park containing varied plant life and landscape.

There are seven islands in the Canaries and are divided into two provinces: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which includes the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera and Hierro: and Las Palmas, which includes the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a very friendly town with 211.930 inhabitants. This town have many beautiful parks, as Park García Sanabria, and its lively streets. The port area is the town's real center: Plaza de España, with its Cabildo Insular, eat of the museums of archaeology and anthropology, and Plaza de la Candelaria with its impressive 17th century Carta Palace. More sights are the baroque church Iglesia de la Concepción, the Museum of Painting and Scultpure and the castle Castillo de Paso Alto.

One of the most attractive and popular sites of the whole island is The Loro Parque with magnificent botanical gardens and exciting attractions. In addition to the natural beauty Tenerife has a number of lively resorts and popular nightlife spots. Tenerife is an authentic paradise for Windsurfing and Scuba diving. The famous Playa de Martianez is a most beautiful complex of natural basins, with the exciting architectonical works of Cesar Manrique and most modern installations as additional attractions. The carnival of Tenerife is also a world-famous festivity and takes place all over the island but it shines with all its splendour in Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz.

The Tenerife Opera house (“Auditorio de Tenerife”) rises out of the Atlantic Ocean and is situated in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This building, designed by the world renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, was opened in September 2003.

The accommodation in Tenerife is just as varied with fabulous five star hotels or private villas offering every luxury to those who like to holiday in style to well-appointed self-catering apartments for the more independant tourist.

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