20 Facts About Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, part of the North Africa region, and politically part of Spain.

Fuerteventura belongs to Province of Las Palmas, one of the two provinces that form the autonomous community of the Canary Islands.

Traditionally, Fuerteventura's name has been regarded as a reference to the strong winds around the island and the resulting danger to nautical adventurers.

In 1424 Pope Martin V, through the Betancuria Brief, edicted the establishment of the Bishopric of Fuerteventura, which encompassed all the Canary Islands save for the island of Lanzarote.

The Bishopric of Fuerteventura was based in the Parish of Santa Maria de Betancuria, bestowing upon the latter the status of Grant Cathedral.

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Flag of Fuerteventura is in proportions 1:2, divided vertically, green to the hoist and white to the fly end, with the coat of arms of the island in the centre.

Coat of arms of Fuerteventura was prescribed by a Decree adopted on 15 October 1998 by the Government of the Canary Islands and published on 11 November 1998 in the official gazette of the Canary Islands, No 142, pp.

Highest point in Fuerteventura is Pico de la Zarza in the southwestern part of the island.

Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the Canary Islands dating back 20 million years to a volcanic eruption from the Canary hotspot.

Fuerteventura was chosen among 500 European destinations by the Quality Coast International Certification Program of the European Coastal and Marine Union as one of the most attractive tourist destinations for visitors interested in cultural heritage, environment and sustainability.

Fuerteventura has a centre linked with the National University of Distance Education, offering courses in many subjects including economics, business studies, law, history and tourism.

Fuerteventura is governed by the Island Department of the Government of Spain, which holds the rank of a Government Subdepartment.

In turn, these municipalities are organised into two associations: the Mancomunidad de Municipios del Centro-Norte de Fuerteventura formed from La Oliva and Puerto del Rosario, and the remaining municipalities make up the Mancomunidad de Municipios del Centro-Sur de Fuerteventura.

Although, this trade almost never reverted to the inhabitants of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, producing periods of famine, so some of the population of these islands had to move to Tenerife and Gran Canaria to try to improve their luck.

In 2009, Fuerteventura recorded the highest EU regional unemployment rate at a NUTS3 level, at 29.

In December 2009, the new facilities of the arrivals terminal of Fuerteventura Airport were inaugurated, tripling the space available in the old facilities.

Fuerteventura has 14 terreros distributed through all the towns except Betancuria.

Sports where Fuerteventura has the most impact internationally are windsurfing and kitesurfing, mainly due to the International Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championship.

Unlike the other islands of the archipelago, Fuerteventura has a shelf which at some points goes up to 30 kilometres, making it an ideal place to practice this sport.

An interesting event is the Tour of Fuerteventura by Kayak, which is organised as a series of stages rather than a competition, and is an easy way to explore the island.