Many english expats have made the move and now live in Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria is an island of the Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic . It is located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura. The island is of volcanic origin, mostly made of fissure vents. It was populated by the Canarios, who may have arrived as early as 500 BC. The Canarios called the island Tamarán. It was claimed by Spain in the 15th century.Gran Canaria's surface is 1,560 km² and its maximum altitude is 1,949 meters (Pico de Las
Nieves). It has a round shape, with a diameter of approximately 50 km.It is divided into twenty-one municipalities:Agaete • Agüimes • Artenara • Arucas • Firgas • Gáldar • Ingenio • Mogán • Moya • Las Palmas de Gran Canaria • San Bartolomé de Tirajana • San Nicolás de Tolentino • Sta. Brígida • Sta. Lucía de Tirajana • Sta. María de Guía • Tejeda • Telde • Valleseco • Valsequillo • Vega de San Mateo
The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was founded on June 24, 1478, with the name "Real de Las Palmas" by Juan Rejón, head of the invading Castilian army. In 1492, Christopher Columbus anchored in the Port of Las Palmas (and spent some time on the island). The western and the northwestern parts of the island, are linked with highways. There is only one airport (International Las Palmas). Gran Canaria also hosts the responsibility of controlling all air traffic to The Canarie Islands. The ports which transport the most passengers are the Port of La Luz and the Port of Las Nieves, placed in the municipality of Agaete. The public transport (buses) is an extensive network run by GLOBAL these are all modern and air-conditioned. Drivers are helpful and with the mix of tourists and 'locals' (especially in the resort areas) makes for an interesting ride, not to mention it being one of the best ways to actually see the island.
This island is called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found. The island is under protection as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The island possesses 32 Natural Protected Spaces, they emphasize the Rural Park of Nublo, Doramas' Jungle, the Ravine of Azuaje, Tamadaba and Pino Santo. The number of annual visitors is approx 2.2 million. Most tourists visit the southern part of the island. The east coast of the island is flat dotted with beaches while the western coast is rockie and mountainous. Just below the airport in the town of Vecindario there is a large shopping center "Commercial Atlantico" that includes a Carrefour and shopping mall. Vecindario is the town where the "locals" live and there is a significant price decrease from the south. Only a short walk from the shopping mall is an open air market on Wednesday mornings. In the south there is a large bird park, Palmitos Park, as well as many beach resort. The resorts start in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area which includes the towns of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Sonnenland, and Meloneras. The Dunes of Maspalomas are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another attraction is the lighthouse at Maspalomas situated at the western end. In Tarajalillo an Aeroclub exists from where flights can be taken over the island. Playa del Inglés is a popular destination for the European gay community with bars, restaurants and businesses centered primarily in the Yumbo shopping center. Further to the west along the southern shore, in the Municipality of Mogán, are the communities of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, Mogan is a picturesque village referred to as "Little Venice" on account of its many canals, it is also famous for its fantastic sea food resteraunt, and peaceful atmospher. Puerto Rico seams to be were most expats have chosen to live. It has beautiful beaches stunning mountain views two marinas, where you can take advantage of the sea excursions. Its nightlife gives you the option of a nice quite night out enjoying a great meal or head upstairs in the commercial centre to the many bars. Arguineguín, is also in the Municipality of Mogán. and is home to a very large market which is held on Tuesdays.
Cenobio de Valerón with about 290 caves, Cueva Pintada the most important archaeological park in Canary Islands and the botanical gardens Jardin Canario (in Tafira Alta) and Cactualdea (in La Aldea de San Nicolás). El Dedo de Dios, or "God's Finger" was a rocky spire jutting from the sea in Puerto de las Nieves, and was previously the signature attraction of the Canary Islands until it was destroyed by Tropical Storm Delta, that crossed the archipelago in November 2005. With its numerous off shore underwater attractions, scubaidiving centres, guides and courses are readily available to take in the full beauty of the island .Other famous rock formations are El Cura (also known as El Fraile), The Frog (La Rana), Bentayga, the Roque de Gando, and the Peñón Bermejo. The highest peak of the island is the Pico de las Nieves, with 1.950m.
The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has a vibrant city life and is also known for its annual Carnaval. Las Canteras Beach lies in the heart of the city. It was the first stop of Christopher Columbus' expedition on his way back from the Americas, a commemoration of which is the Hermitage of San Antonio Abad, where the navigator prayed, and the Casa de Colón. Other attractions in the capital city include the Museo Canario (the most important archaeology museum in the archipelago), the Cathedral and the Plaza del Espíritu Santo.
The town of Agüimes, on the eastern part of the island, has been carefully restored, and its town centre, centered around its old church and a peaceful square, now evokes the quiet living of a traditional Canarian town. The district also has some of the best preserved cave dwellings, in the protected area of the Guayadeque Ravine, where even the church has been built into the hillside and you can find a number of popular cave restaurants. The district also includes the most renowned scuba diving area on the island: the marine reserve at the playa de El Cabrón just outside the town of Arinaga.Other important towns are Telde and Vecindario (within the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana) and Gáldar.
In the Town of Arucas there is a magnificent Neogothic temple, popularly known as "Arucas' Cathedral", as well as a large fertile plain where bananas are grown. In Gáldar and its surroundings there is also a banana-growing plain and some remarkable archaeological remains, such as Cueva Pintada or Cenobio de Valerón's communal silos, ancient tombs, and the port of Sardina del Norte.
In Teror is kept the catholic image of Virgen del Pino, the patron saint of the Canary Islands.
Disabled Facilities
There are good facilities for the disabled at the terminal of the airport in Gran Canaria. Adapted taxis with electric wheelchair lifts are available for airport transfers and can be called by the airport. The major of the resorts of Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Puerto Rico, Amadores and Mogan have a selection of hotels with disabled adapted rooms that are wheelchair friendly. There has been recent investment in extensive promenade development along the coast in the south which is easily accessible for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Las Palmas city offers a good promenade at Las Canteras Beach with several board walks on to the beach and Red Cross bathing wheelchairs for use for sea bathing.All of the newer commercial centres have good access ramps to restaurants, bars and shops and the pavements are now better suited for wheelchair users than in the past.