The islands have warm summers and winters warm enough for the climate to be technically tropical at sea level. Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain and the third tallest volcano in the world, measured from its base on the ocean floor.

This is due to their beaches, subtropical climate, and important natural attractions, especially Maspalomas in Gran Canaria and Mount Teide (a World Heritage Site) in Tenerife. The Canary Islands, especially Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, are a major tourist destination, with over 12 million visitors per year. The population is mostly concentrated in the two capital islands: around 43% on the island of Tenerife and 40% on the island of Gran Canaria. In 2019, the Canary Islands had a population of 2,153,389, with a density of 287.39 inhabitants per km 2, making it the eighth most populous autonomous community of Spain. Because of their location, the Canary Islands have historically been considered a link between the four continents of Africa, North America, South America, and Europe. The Canary Islands are the southernmost region of Spain, and the largest and most populous archipelago of Macaronesia. In ancient times, the island chain was often referred to as 'the Fortunate Isles'.

It also includes a number of rocks, including Garachico and Anaga. The archipelago includes many smaller islands and islets, including La Graciosa, Alegranza, Isla de Lobos, Montaña Clara, Roque del Oeste, and Roque del Este. The seven main islands are (from largest to smallest in area) Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. The islands have a population of 2.2 million people and are the most populous special territory of the European Union.

They are the southernmost of the autonomous communities of Spain. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are 100 kilometres (62 miles) west of Morocco. The Canary Islands ( / k ə ˈ n ɛər i/ Spanish: Canarias, pronounced ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in Macaronesia in the Atlantic Ocean.

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