The Canary Islands, also known as the Canaries, are an archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa. With their subtropical climate and black and white sand beaches, the islands are a popular tourist destination. But despite their fame, many people are unsure of the Canary Islands’ political status – are they an independent country or part of a larger nation? Let’s take a closer look at the sovereignty of this volcanic island chain.
The Canary Islands Are Part of Spain
The quick answer is no, the Canary Islands are not an independent country. The archipelago is an autonomous community of Spain. The islands have been a province and integral part of Spain since the 15th century.
Spain annexed the Canaries between 1402 and 1496, bringing the islands under the Crown of Castile’s governance. Today, the Canary Islands remain a Spanish territory and one of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain.
Like other Spanish communities, the Canaries have their own regional government, the “Cabildo Insular.” Each island also has its own cabildo, or island council. However, defense and foreign relations are handled by the national Spanish government in Madrid.
So in summary:
- The Canary Islands are governed by Spain
- They have an autonomous regional government
- But they do not have full sovereignty or independence from Spain
The islands are considered an outermost region of the European Union. They send MEPs to the European Parliament and introduced the euro in 2002. But the Canaries are outside the EU VAT area and Schengen Area.
A Brief History of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have been inhabited since ancient times. The original inhabitants were the Guanches, a Berber people who likely migrated from North Africa. Here are some key historical events in the islands:
- 1st century BC – Romans visit the Canaries and name them “Insula Canaria,” meaning Island of the Dogs, after the wild dogs they encounter there.
- 1309 to 1393 – The islands are conquered by Castile, a Christian kingdom in Spain. But the native Guanches resist full colonization.
- 15th century – Castile annexes the islands and suppresses the Guanche resistance. The Canaries are formally incorporated into the Kingdom of Castile.
- 1479 – The Treaty of Alcáçovas officially recognizes Castile’s sovereignty over the islands.
- 1492 – Christopher Columbus stops in the Canaries before crossing the Atlantic and discovering the Americas.
- 1982 – The Canary Islands become an autonomous community of Spain with an elected regional government.
So while the indigenous people of the Canaries originally had their own distinct culture and language, the islands have been part of Spain since the late medieval period. Their integration into Spain was a gradual process that strengthened over centuries.
The Geography and Economy of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands form an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, around 62 miles west of Morocco. The islands have a total land area of 2,883 square miles. Here are some key facts about their geography:
- Number of main islands: 7
- Largest island: Tenerife
- Highest point: Pico del Teide volcano on Tenerife, 12,198 ft
- Climate: subtropical
- Terrain: volcanic
The largest cities in the Canary Islands are Las Palmas on Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz on Tenerife. Together the islands have a population of around 2.2 million.
Tourism is the backbone of the Canary Islands’ economy. Over 12 million tourists visit annually, drawn by the warm climate and beaches. The islands also export bananas and tomatoes grown in their fertile valleys.
The Culture of the Canary Islands
Canarian culture blends Spanish and North African influences. Traditional Canarian folk music features instruments like flutes, triangles, and tambourines. Some cultural highlights include:
- Indigenous Guanche mummies – the arid climate mummified many of the islands’ original inhabitants.
- Mojo sauce – a staple Canarian condiment made from peppers, garlic, oil, cumin, coriander, and paprika.
- Carnival – a huge Mardi Gras-like festival celebrated on the islands.
- Malvasía wine – a sweet white wine made from Malvasía grapes grown in the volcanic soil.
While culturally distinct in some ways, the Canary Islanders also speak Spanish and participate fully in mainland Spanish culture and politics. Most residents are Roman Catholic, like most Spaniards.
Should the Canary Islands Be Independent?
There is not a strong separatist movement in the Canary Islands. Most islanders support remaining part of Spain. Reasons why independence has little backing include:
- Economic reliance on Spain and the EU – leaving could jeopardize trade.
- Unfavorable small country economics – the islands have a small population.
- Lack of a distinct national identity to unify islanders.
- General satisfaction with Spain’s governance.
However, there are some pro-independence supporters and parties. They feel the islands pay more in taxes to Madrid than they receive in services. Some also believe independence would allow the Canaries to build stronger ties with Latin America and North Africa.
But most surveys show 70-85% of Canarians wish to remain part of Spain. Secession does not have majority support or seem economically viable currently.
Conclusion
While situated off the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are not a sovereign nation. They have been governed by Spain since the late medieval period and remain an integral autonomous community of Spain today. Most Canary Islanders support ongoing Spanish sovereignty due to cultural ties and economic integration.
So the quick answer remains: No, the Canary Islands are not an independent country, but rather a Spanish archipelago with regional autonomy.
| Island | Population |
|---|---|
| Tenerife | 907,833 |
| Gran Canaria | 846,717 |
| Lanzarote | 141,437 |
| Fuerteventura | 107,367 |
| La Palma | 81,863 |
| La Gomera | 21,536 |
| El Hierro | 10,798 |