Thursday, January 20, 2011

Spain - Lanzarote (1993)

The Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve is made up of the northernmost island of the Canary Archipelago. It covers 84600 ha including the northern minor islands, and has a population of over 110.000 (2002). The Canary Islands are volcanic and young on a planetary scale. Lanzarote is one of oldest islands, but the last eruptions which occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries are still visible in the island landscape today because of the low plant cover.

Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park or Parque Nacional de Timanfaya is a Spanish national park covering the municipalities of southern portion of Tinajo and the northern portion of Yaiza in the southwestern part of the island of Lanzarote. The area is 51.07 square kilometres (19.72 sq mi). The parkland is entirely made up of volcanic soil. The statue "El Diablo" by César Manrique is its symbol.

The greatest recorded eruptions occurred between 1730 and 1736. The volcanic activity continues as the surface temperature in the core ranges from 100 to 600 °C at the depth of 13 metres (43 ft), which is demonstrated by pouring water into the ground, resulting in a geyser of steam which is an attraction for tourists.There is only one active volcano, Timanfaya volcano which the park is named after.

In 1993, UNESCO designated a Biosphere reserve covering the whole of Lanzarote. The national park is one of the core areas of the biosphere reserve.

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