Just off the coast of northwest Africa lies the archipelago of the Canary Islands, the largest of which is Tenerife. The Canary Islands are all volcanic in origin, which is why it is not at all surprising that Tenerife is home to not only the tallest point in Spain, but also the third tallest volcano in the world.
As mentioned, Mount Teide is not just the tallest point in Tenerife, the Canary Islands and even Spain, but also the third highest volcano in the entire world standing at 12,198ft. This enormity explains just why Mount Teide attracts over half of the island's 5 million visitors every year. The largest peak that is Teide Mountain last erupted all the back in 1798, and is so is currently regarded as dormant.
Mount Teide stands proudly in Mount Teide National Park, which has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are lots of hikes visitors take through the national park or for those less energetic, then there's the cable car which takes people to the top. Access to the summit is restricted, however, and a permit is needed to reach it.
On the island of Tenerife are many other vents that all make up the Mount Teide volcano. The most recent volcanic activity the island has seen was in 1909 when the El Chinyero vent erupted on the northwest side of the Santiago rift. Previous to that, the other recorded eruptions have all been in the same area of this Santiago rift, and much of the lava flows and general effects of these are still visible today.
Offering visitors to the island not only remarkable climbs and walks but also spectacular views of its neighbouring islands, no visit to Tenerife would be complete without getting up and close to Mount Teide and a visit to Mount Teide National Park. With varied flora and fauna to spot, and deep crevices and vertical precipices to watch out for, Tenerife's volcanoes are what make this island so much more than a beach-orientated, package-holiday hotspot.
As mentioned, Mount Teide is not just the tallest point in Tenerife, the Canary Islands and even Spain, but also the third highest volcano in the entire world standing at 12,198ft. This enormity explains just why Mount Teide attracts over half of the island's 5 million visitors every year. The largest peak that is Teide Mountain last erupted all the back in 1798, and is so is currently regarded as dormant.
Mount Teide stands proudly in Mount Teide National Park, which has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are lots of hikes visitors take through the national park or for those less energetic, then there's the cable car which takes people to the top. Access to the summit is restricted, however, and a permit is needed to reach it.
On the island of Tenerife are many other vents that all make up the Mount Teide volcano. The most recent volcanic activity the island has seen was in 1909 when the El Chinyero vent erupted on the northwest side of the Santiago rift. Previous to that, the other recorded eruptions have all been in the same area of this Santiago rift, and much of the lava flows and general effects of these are still visible today.
Offering visitors to the island not only remarkable climbs and walks but also spectacular views of its neighbouring islands, no visit to Tenerife would be complete without getting up and close to Mount Teide and a visit to Mount Teide National Park. With varied flora and fauna to spot, and deep crevices and vertical precipices to watch out for, Tenerife's volcanoes are what make this island so much more than a beach-orientated, package-holiday hotspot.
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