Gran Canaria we find a miniature continent. This is not a gratuitous statement or a play with words. This circular island is special because it is enveloped in contrast that makes it unique.

We should not be surprised if we suddenly stumble upon arid areas without any vegetation or water while a little further we find mountains covered in tropical foliage. The panoramic view and scenery, the sheer cliffs at the edges of the great expanses of sand, which invite us to take a dip at one of the beaches. But the contradictions do not end here, because near the precipitous river gorges we find valleys filled with banana trees.

With this natural environment, the island of Grand Canaria has been progressing constantly, the city of Las Palmas Having a population of 352641 inhabitants, Las Palma is the biggest urban settlement in the Canary Islands.

An other area of extraordinary ecological value is the cave complex at the river gorge, named Barranco de Balos. Here we find important rupestrian paintings on the basalt rock in the river gorge. The paintings include alphabetical inscriptions, animal figures as well as geometrical illustrations that were done by the aboriginal inhabitants of the island.

The summits of Gran Canaria know what snow is, although just a few kilometres away the sun shines all year on golden beaches - and on artificial lakes where sometimes you can practice water sports, find fresh water fish, bathe or just camp out in nature.

The island is well catered for from coast to summit with well mainatined but, in the recent past, a gradual recovery of the "dirt roads" has been made. These roads were used in the last centuries to travel on foot or on horseback. Today they allow visitors and locals alike to discover the places hidden to the eyes of those who travel in a car.

In the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you can bathe on the beach of Las Canteras, practice all kinds of water sports from sailing to water skiing, and enjoy the wide gastronomic delights and the intense nightlife. Besides that, you can visit the Canary Museum (that exhibits archaeological remains of the island), the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art or the House of Colombo (that perpetuates the memory of the Admiral in the historical surroundings where the city was based for more than 500 years). Just a few kilometres from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, towards the centre of the island, in Tafira, you'll find the oldest golf club in Spain.

In the south amid the tourism areas, the extensive coast of Maspalomas, well-known for its dunes and beaches, has as many leisure facilities as you can imagine: aquatic park, exotic bird parks, theme parks like Sioux City, submarines that allow visitors to view the bottom of the sea, golf courses, tennis courts, squash, and many, many more.

But there is still another face of Gran Canaria, the traditional one that you can encounter whilst exploring the island. The magnificent architecture of cities and villas, the weekend markets and the thriving agricultural farms.

The traditional side is also present in profane celebrations, such as the noisy carnivals or those of religious character and with strong folkloric ties.

Article submitted on 2007-08-23