| Its name may seem a mouthful, but that's because | | | | 20th century as it became part of Gran Canaria |
| this city is full of surprises for your discovery. It is | | | | province. Its first airport was built in 1940 to set it on |
| part of the Canary Islands which is closest to the | | | | its runway as a tourist resort. Since 1960s, it has not |
| African coast. The island surfaced from a volcanic | | | | looked back flourishing as a popular idyllic tourist |
| activity about 20 million years ago. It is the natural | | | | preference. It is part of the Canary Islands |
| forces of volcanic activity, wind, soil erosion and rain | | | | Community. |
| which have shaped the island of Fuerteventura to | | | | So it is not surprising that Fuerteventura's main |
| what it is today. | | | | industry is tourism. Its tropical temperature is felt |
| It is strategically located at the tropics to offer white | | | | throughout the year which is preferred by Europeans |
| sand beaches which spans around the island of clear | | | | who can reach this idyllic destination by plane easily in |
| turquoise waters. Blessed with an annual average | | | | two hours. Besides tourism, this island is packed with |
| temperature of 22º C or 71.6ºF, it is truly a | | | | agricultural, fishing and business activities. |
| surfer's paradise and kite surfing with its consistently | | | | Another key tourist attraction on this island is the |
| smooth Sahara dessert winds. | | | | scuba diving activity; it is indeed not only a scuba |
| Fuerteventura is known to be the oldest island of the | | | | diver's paradise, it is also a fisherman's paradise who |
| Atlantic island group; it experienced its last volcanic | | | | is into big game fishing as the Atlantic waters swarm |
| eruption 5 million years ago. | | | | with all kinds of fish, such as whales, marlins, dolphins |
| Its first inhabitants were presumably from North | | | | and rare turtles. |
| Africa due to the recent archaeological discoveries of | | | | The island itself holds awe with its natural formation |
| finding earthenware and ancient tools in caves and | | | | of vast plains, volcanic mountains and lava flow |
| semi-subterranean settlements. | | | | remnants which are open for visits although marked |
| Then the Phoenicians came around 11BC as recorded | | | | as protected sites. |
| in Homer's "Odyssey" in 850BC. Fuerteventura Island | | | | Tourists on the island can enjoy windsurfing and |
| was greatly affected by adverse varied expeditions | | | | kiteboarding from April till October, with its constant |
| by the Spanish and Portuguese until 1405 when Jean | | | | flow of winds and long stretches of famous beaches, |
| de Bethencourt, a French conqueror, renamed the | | | | like Corralejo, Gran Tarajal and Pájara. |
| island to Betancuria after himself. | | | | Keen golfers will have their field day on the island |
| All remained status quo under military governors until | | | | too, as it comprised a fully equipped golf club |
| Spain regained control. In the 1850s, Queen Isabel II | | | | designed by famed architect, Juan Catarineu, |
| announced a free trade zone standing on this island, | | | | specifically catering to the wind conditions for the |
| making a change to its name, from Puerto de Cabras | | | | best of golf. The club boasts of a classic golf course |
| to Puerto Del Rosario. | | | | of 1,500 km of green with a par of 70, with some |
| Fuerteventura Island gained independence at the | | | | great sea views. |