Gran Canaria Location and Surface
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Location of Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria together with the neighbouring Tenerife forms the centre of the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria is 60 km to the east-southeast of Tenerife, 84 km to the west of Fuerteventura, and a little over 200 km from the coast of Africa. The coordinates of Gran Canaria are 27°58’ N 15°36’ W.
Gran Canaria surface area
Though the name would suggest it, Gran Canaria is not the biggest island. It has a surface area of 1,560 km², which is enough for the third place behind Tenerife and Fuerteventura. It has round shape (or a seashell shape to some people) with diameter of about 50 km.
Gran Canaria landscape and highest mountain
The landscape on Gran Canaria is mostly mountainous, though the peaks do not reach the heights of the Teide on Tenerife. The highest point on Gran Canaria is Pico de Las Nieves 1,949 metres above sea level.
Volcanoes on Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is of volcanic origin like the other islands. Geologically it is younger than Fuerteventura or Lanzarote, but older than the western islands like La Palma or El Hierro. The last major volcanic activity is estimated 2,000 years ago. In the middle of Gran Canaria you can still see the original crater, Tejeda Caldera, which has about 20 km in diameter. It is in a more eroded stage than Caldera de Taburiente on La Palma, but still clearly recognizable.
