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60-471: It is in the north-west of Gran Canaria island, and is enclosed by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Gáldar to the north-east, and Artenara to the south. Agaete's area is 45.50 km (17.57 sq mi) with a population of 5,796 (2003). The port of Agaete, Puerto de las Nieves , used to be the preferred place to get a view of El Dedo de Dios , a natural monument on the coastline, before

120-531: A succulent spurge found in the High Atlas was a powerful laxative . In 12 BC, Juba named this plant Euphorbia after Euphorbus, in response to Augustus dedicating a statue to Antonius Musa , Augustus's own personal physician and Euphorbus's brother. Botanist and taxonomist Carl Linnaeus assigned the name Euphorbia to the entire genus in the physician's honour. Euphorbia was later called Euphorbia regis-jubae ("King Juba's euphorbia") to honour

180-620: A comparison of Greek and Roman institutions known as Όμοιότητες ( Resemblances ). His guide to Arabia became a bestseller in Rome. Only fragments of his works survive. He collected a substantial library on a wide variety of topics, which no doubt complemented his own prolific output. Pliny the Elder refers to him as an authority 65 times in the Natural History and in Athens , a monument

240-583: A leader. He fought alongside Octavian in the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. In 30 BC, Octavian restored Juba II as king of Numidia . Juba II established Numidia as an ally of Rome. Probably as a result of his services to Augustus in a campaign in Hispania, between 26 BC and 20 BC the Emperor arranged for him to marry Cleopatra Selene II , giving her a large dowry and appointing her queen. His kingdom replaced

300-478: A rich mixture of Egyptian , Greek and Roman architectural styles. Cleopatra is said to have exerted considerable influence on Juba II's policies. Juba II encouraged and supported the performing arts, research of the sciences and research of natural history. Juba II also supported Mauretanian trade. The Kingdom of Mauretania was of great importance to the Roman Empire. Mauretania engaged in trade all across

360-416: A round shape, with a diameter of approximately 50 km (31 mi) and a surface area of 1,560 km (600 sq mi). Gran Canaria's maximum elevation is 1,956 metres (6,417 ft) at Morro de la Agujereada , although the nearby Pico de las Nieves has traditionally been considered the island's tallest peak. The coastline measures 236 km. About 80% of the volume of the island was formed during

420-577: A town at the Pillars of Hercules (modern Strait of Gibraltar ) became a major trade centre. In Gades, (modern Cádiz ) and Carthago Nova (modern Cartagena ) in Spain , Juba II was appointed by Augustus as an honorary Duovir (a chief magistrate of a Roman colony or town). The value and quality of the Mauretanian coinage became highly regarded. The Greek historian Plutarch describes him as 'one of

480-714: Is also known for its annual carnaval . It was the first stop of Christopher Columbus' expedition on his way back from the Americas, a commemoration of which is the Hermitage of San Antonio Abad, where the navigator prayed, and the Casa de Colón . Other attractions in the capital city include the Museo Canario (the most important archaeology museum in the archipelago), the cathedral and the Plaza del Espíritu Santo . In Teror

540-602: Is also the third most populated island in Spain. In antiquity , Gran Canaria was populated by the North African Canarii , who may have arrived as early as 500 BC. In the medieval period , after over a century of European incursions and attempts at conquest, the island was conquered on 29 April 1483, by the Crown of Castile , under Queen Isabella I . The Canarian queen Abenchara was captured and imprisoned by

600-406: Is held to have started some 2.8 million years ago and is considered to be still active. The last eruptions are held to have occurred some 2000 years ago. The changes in volume and, therefore, weight of the island have also caused the island to rise above the previous sea level during erosive periods and to sink during eruptive periods. Some of these "fossil beaches" can be seen in the cliff faces of

660-633: Is home to CB Gran Canaria – a basketball club playing in Liga ACB at the Gran Canaria Arena , with a capacity of 11,000. The island is also home to UD Las Palmas – a football club playing in La Liga at the Estadio de Gran Canaria , with a capacity of 32,392. Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) holds its annual competitions at Pozo - Pozo Izquierdo: This spot, which is situated in

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720-485: Is located in the Atlantic Ocean in a region known as Macaronesia about 150 kilometres (93 mi) off the northwestern coast of Africa and about 1,350 km (840 mi) from Europe. With an area of 1,560 km (600 sq mi) and an altitude of 1,956 m (6,417 ft) at Morro de la Agujereada , Gran Canaria is the third largest island of the archipelago in both area and altitude. Gran Canaria

780-538: Is that the islands name derives from the people Canario or Canarii living near the Atlas mountain range . Jean de Béthencourt named the island Gran Canaria as the people on the island were valorous opponents to his conquest . Gran Canaria is located in the Canary Islands archipelago southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura . The island is of volcanic origin, mostly made of fissure vents . It has

840-526: Is the only commercial airport on the island. The large number of aircraft and passengers passing through it each year make it one of the busiest in Spain. Gran Canaria is also responsible for all air traffic control in the Canaries. By destination island, Gran Canaria is the second island that congregates the largest number of passengers in the Canary Islands. Car rental companies that have offices in

900-480: Is the third-largest and second-most-populous island of the Canary Islands , an archipelago off the Atlantic coast of Northwest Africa and is part of Spain. As of 2023 the island had a population of 862,893 that constitutes approximately 40% of the population of the archipelago. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , the capital of the island, is the biggest city of the Canary Islands and the ninth of Spain. Gran Canaria

960-426: Is under protection as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO . The number of annual visitors was 3.6 million in 2014 (of which 450.000 Spaniards). It is the second island in the archipelago in number of annual tourists, after Tenerife. Most of the tourists visit the southern part of the island. The north tends to be cooler, while the south is warmer and sunny. The east coast of the island is flat, dotted with beaches, while

1020-797: The Etymologicum Magnum , the Geoponica and various scholia on classical authors. Juba may have written plays, but these are not quoted, and no titles are known. The supposition relies on a reading of a passage in Athenaeus. There are two late citations to Juba that seem to be spurious. Photios cites the otherwise unknown On the Deterioration of Words , while Fulgentius cites a certain Fisiologia . Both may have been epitomes of Juba's authentic works. A treaty on metrics

1080-521: The Gran Canaria Cabildo and the autonomous Canary Islands' Government, though the discussion with the central Spanish Government hinges now on budget. The planned 57 km (35 mi) railway line would run between Las Palmas and Meloneras, with the section in the capital running entirely underground as far as the suburb of Jinámar. The line is planned to have 11 stations, including an underground station at Gran Canaria Airport. The scheme

1140-509: The Latin and Greek , became romanized and was granted Roman citizenship. Through dedication to his studies, he is said to have become one of Rome's best educated citizens, and by age 20 he wrote one of his first works entitled Roman Archaeology . He was raised by Julius Caesar and later by his great-nephew Octavian (future Emperor Augustus ). While growing up, Juba II accompanied Octavian on military campaigns, gaining valuable experience as

1200-524: The Miocene period eruptions, between 14 and 9 million years ago. This is called the "Old Cycle" and is estimated to have lasted some 200,000 years and have emitted about 1,000 km (240 cu mi), mostly of fissural alkali basalt . This cycle continued with the emission of trachytes , phonolites and peralkaline rocks. This period was followed by one of erosion, which lasted some 4 million years. A second cycle of volcanic eruptions, known as

1260-513: The Tenerife airport disaster . Pliny claimed that the island was named for the dogs on the island, of which two were presented as a gift to Juba , King of Mauretania . This opinion is disputed as when the Europeans arrived on the island, no dogs were found. Another source suggested the way the natives ate fish was doglike and this was the reason for its name. A more plausible assumption

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1320-609: The necropolis of Maipés ), and the port of Sardina del Norte (one of the island's ports where, as in Las Palmas', Christopher Columbus used to get supplies for his ships). Heading west along the southern coast is the fishing city of Arguineguín in the Municipality of Mogán . The official natural symbols associated with Gran Canaria are the Canary Mastiff and Euphorbia canariensis (Cardón) Nearly half of

1380-493: The "Roque Nublo cycle", took place between 4.5 and 3.4 million years ago. This shorter cycle emitted about 100 km (24 cu mi). Most of the inland peaks were formed by erosion from these materials. This period also started with fissural basalts, but ended with violent eruptions of pyroclastic flows . Some phonolitic features, like the Risco Blanco, were also formed in its last stages. The third or recent cycle

1440-406: The "archaeological site" category) in the municipality of Santa María de Guía bears testimony of it by being the largest pre-Hispanic collective granary of the Canaries. This island is called a "miniature continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, with long beaches and dunes of white sand, contrasting with green ravines and picturesque villages. A third of the island

1500-650: The 1960s, Gran Canaria was selected as the location for one of the 14 ground stations in the Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN) to support the NASA space program. Maspalomas Station , located in the south of the island, took part in a number of space missions including the Apollo 11 Moon landings and Skylab . Today it continues to support satellite communications as part of the ESA network. The island

1560-535: The Greek term brephos was used for him which means infant. The word for a child of age 4 to 6 is pais which was not used for him in the ancient sources. Therefore, Roller places his age in the triumph at anywhere from 2 months to 2 years, which actually indicates a birth year range between 48 and 46 BC. Juba II was brought to Rome by Julius Caesar and he took part in Caesar's triumphal procession. In Rome he learned

1620-462: The Mediterranean, particularly with Spain and Italy . Mauretania exported fish , grapes , pearls, figs, grain, wooden furniture and purple dye harvested from certain shellfish, which was used in the manufacture of purple stripes for senatorial robes. Juba II sent a contingent to Iles Purpuraires to re-establish the ancient Phoenician dye manufacturing process. Tingis (modern Tangier ),

1680-610: The Port of La Luz, where Trasmediterránea operates a weekly ferry route to Cádiz on the Spanish mainland, and the Port of Las Nieves , located in Agaete on the west side of the island, where Fred Olsen Express operates a catamaran ferry service to Santa Cruz de Tenerife . Plans for a Tren de Gran Canaria railway network linking the capital with the south have been approved by both

1740-584: The Roque de Gando, and the Peñón Bermejo. Traditionally, the highest peak of the island has been considered to be the Pico de las Nieves , at 1,949 metres (6,394 ft); however, Morro de la Agujereada is taller, at 1,956 metres (6,417 ft). The capital city is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria . Las Canteras beach , a protected area and diving zone, lies in the heart of the city. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

1800-430: The Spanish during the conquest. The conquest succeeded after a war that lasted five years, and it was an important step towards the expansion of the unified Spain. The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was founded on 24 June 1478, under the name "Real de Las Palmas", by Juan Rejón , head of the invading Castilian army. In 1492, Christopher Columbus anchored in the Port of Las Palmas (and spent some time on

1860-587: The TransGC Card, which is valid across the whole network. Inter-urban bus services across the island are operated by the Global bus company. Global was created in 2000 after the merger of two bus companies, Utinsa (which operated in the north of the island) and Salcai (the bus operator for the south). Local bus services in Las Palmas are run by the municipal bus company, Guaguas Municipales de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria . Gran Canaria Airport ( IATA : LPA)

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1920-435: The airports are: Autoreisen , Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar (only south airport), Hertz, Sixt and TopCar. The most important ports in the island are the Port of Las Palmas ( Puerto de la Luz ), in the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ; Arguineguín , which exports cement from a large factory; and Arinaga , located in the main industrial zone of Canaries and one of the major ones of Spain. The main passenger ports are

1980-710: The botanical gardens Jardín Canario (in Tafira Alta) and Cactualdea (in La Aldea de San Nicolás ). El Dedo de Dios , or "God's Finger", was a rocky spire jutting from the sea in Puerto de las Nieves , and was previously the signature attraction of the Canary Islands until it was destroyed by tropical storm Delta that crossed the archipelago in November 2005. Other well-known rock formations are El Cura (also known as El Fraile), The Frog (La Rana), Roque Bentayga ,

2040-400: The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria . Gran Canaria is the second most populous island of the Canary Islands, after Tenerife . Gran Canaria has roads encircling the whole island and extending into the mountain areas. In the late 20th century, its dual carriageway, among the first in the Canary Islands, were opened and run around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and were later extended to

2100-399: The coast. Inland the climate is still mild but mountainous areas see the occasional frost or snow. Annual rainfall averages 228 mm (9.0 in), most of this falling in the cooler months, with July, August and September normally rainless. Rainfall is unevenly distributed through the island with some areas being much drier than others. Cloud cover and sunshine is often quite variable during

2160-433: The cooler months, and there can be several rather cloudy days at times in winter. Summers are generally quite sunny however, with the south of the island being most favoured. Until the conquest, Gran Canaria had extensive forests, but then suffered extensive deforestation as a result of continuous logging, land divisions and other intensive uses. This reduced the forest cover to just 56,000 hectares (140,000 acres), making

2220-496: The death of the Mauretanian king Bocchus II , who was an ally of the Romans, his kingdom was briefly governed directly by Rome (33 BC - 25 BC), then in 25 BC Juba II received it from Augustus . When Juba II and Cleopatra Selene moved to Mauretania , they named their new capital Caesaria (modern Cherchell , Algeria ), in honour of Augustus. The construction and sculpture projects at Caesaria and another city, Volubilis , display

2280-492: The dogs in Latin) the expedition found there. Flavius Philostratus recalled one of his anecdotes: "And I have read in the discourse of Juba that elephants assist one another when they are being hunted, and that they will defend one that is exhausted, and if they can remove him out of danger, they anoint his wounds with the tears of the aloe tree, standing round him like physicians." Juba's Greek physician Euphorbus wrote that

2340-497: The eastern part of the Canary Islands community. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the provincial capital, one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife . The island of Gran Canaria is governed by the Cabildo insular de Gran Canaria . Gran Canaria Island itself is divided into twenty-one smaller municipalities : The island has a population at the start of 2023 of 862,893 - with 380,863 of those in

2400-573: The island territory — 667 km (258 sq mi) (42.7% of island) — is under protection from the Red Canaria de Espacios Naturales Protegidos ( Canary Islands Network for Protected Natural Areas ). Of the 146 protected sites under control of network in the Canary Islands archipelago, a total of 33 are located in Gran Canaria, the second most protected island in the group. There are seven different categories of protection: In

2460-489: The island the most deforested of the Canary Islands. However, in the twentieth century reforestation of the ridge of the island was begun, recovering some of the lost forest mass. Much of the summit of the island is forested mostly due to reforestation . Gran Canaria is in the autonomous community of the Canary Islands ( Islas Canarias ). It lies within the Province of Las Palmas , a Spanish province which consists of

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2520-496: The island) on his first trip to the Americas. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is, jointly with Santa Cruz de Tenerife , the capital of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. Much of Iberian migration to the island consisted of conversos of Jewish origin. On 27 March 1977, a bomb went off in Gran Canaria Airport, the main airport on the island. Flights were diverted to the nearby Tenerife Airport: this led to

2580-516: The island. Still further to the west along the southern shore, in the Municipality of Mogán, are the communities of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán , a village referred to as "Little Venice" on account of its many canals. Other attractions include Cocodrilos Park, Roque Nublo (an 80 m monolith), Cenobio de Valerón with more than 350 storage cavities, Painted cave of Galdar the most important archaeological park in Canary Islands, or

2640-540: The latter was destroyed during tropical storm Delta in November 2005. The port is a common end point for day tours from more touristic areas of the island. El Maipes necropolis is on the outskirts of the town, in the south-east near the football ground. Gran Canaria Gran Canaria ( UK : / ˌ ɡ r æ n k ə ˈ n ɛər i ə , - ˈ n ɑːr -/ , US : / ˌ ɡ r ɑː n k ə ˈ n ɑːr i ə , - ˈ n ɛər -/ ; Spanish: [ɡɾaŋ kaˈnaɾja] ), also Grand Canary Island ,

2700-403: The local dialect as guaguas . The Autoridad Única del Transporte de Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria Transport Authority, TGC) manages the network and operates a number of bus stations across the island, including San Telmo and Santa Catalina bus stations in Las Palmas, Maspalomas and Galdar. Bus tickets may be purchased with cash, and AUTGC also operates a contactless electronic ticket called

2760-624: The more eroded northern coast. According to the Köppen climate classification , Gran Canaria is considered to have a hot desert climate (BWh) due to its severe lack of precipitation. Gran Canaria has consistent warm temperatures in spring, summer and autumn, and mild winters. Gran Canaria is noted for its rich variety of microclimates . Generally speaking though, the average daytime high ranges from 20 °C (68 °F) in winter to 26 °C (79 °F) in summer. Some cool nights occur in winter, but lows below 10 °C (50 °F) are unknown near

2820-739: The most gifted rulers of his time'. Between 2 BC and AD 2, he travelled with Gaius Caesar (a grandson of Augustus), as an advisor to the Eastern Mediterranean. In AD 21, Juba II made his son Ptolemy his co-ruler. Juba II died in AD 23. Juba II was buried alongside his first wife in the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania . Ptolemy then became the sole ruler of Mauretania. Juba wrote a number of books in Greek on history, natural history, geography, grammar, painting and theatre. He compiled

2880-417: The municipal area of Santa Lucía, is internationally famous on account of the ideal windsurfing conditions, the wind being ever present. Juba II Juba II of Mauretania ( Latin : Gaius Iulius Iuba ; Ancient Greek : Ἰóβας, Ἰóβα or Ἰούβας ; c. 48 BC – AD 23) was the son of Juba I and client king of Numidia (30–25 BC) and Mauretania (25 BC – AD 23). Aside from his very successful reign, he

2940-516: The municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana) and Gáldar , that contains an important diving zone. In Arucas there is a Neogothic temple, popularly known as "Arucas' Cathedral", as well as a large fertile plain where bananas are grown. In Gáldar and its surroundings there is also a banana-growing plain and some remarkable archaeological remains, such as the Painted cave of Galdar or the cenobio de Valerón 's communal silos, ancient tombs (among which

3000-401: The north coast and the airport and subsequently to the south coast in response to increased tourist traffic. The only highway of Gran Canaria are GC1 . Dual carriageway is GC2 , and GC31 , GC4 and GC5 . The western and the north-western parts, with the fewest inhabitants, are linked only with main roads. Public transport around Gran Canaria is provided by an extensive bus network, known in

3060-559: The protected area of the Guayadeque ravine , where even the church has been built into the mountainside and visitors can find a number of popular cave restaurants. The district also includes the most renowned scuba diving area on the island: the marine reserve at the playa de El Cabrón just outside the town of Arinaga. Other important towns are Telde , known among other things for their surf schools in Salinetas, Vecindario (within

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3120-513: The province of Africa Nova which included territories of both Eastern Numidia and Western Numidia. This kingdom of Numidia (except the territory of Western Numidia) was in 25 BC directly annexed to the Roman Empire as the part of the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis and Juba II received Mauretania as his kingdom, enlarged by territory of Western Numidia. According to Strabo , upon

3180-479: The shrine of Virgen del Pino ("Virgin of the Pine"), patron saint of Gran Canaria, can be found. Its feast is celebrated on 8 September. The town of Agüimes , on the eastern part of the island, has been carefully restored and its town centre, centered on its old church and a peaceful square, now evokes the quiet living of a traditional Canarian town. The district also has some of the best preserved cave dwellings, in

3240-545: The towns of San Agustín , Playa del Inglés and Meloneras . The Maspalomas Dunes are located between Playa del Inglés ("The Englishman's Beach") and the distinctive 19th century Maspalomas lighthouse . Playa del Ingles is home to the Yumbo Centre, which was opened in 1982 and has almost 200 shops, including bars, restaurants, cafes, fashion boutiques, electronic outlets and jewellery stores. In Tarajalillo, an Aeroclub exists from where tourist flights can be taken over

3300-595: The western coast is rockier and mountainous. The island possesses 32 Natural Protected Spaces, notably the Rural Park of Nublo, The Doramas Jungle, the Azuaje Ravine, Tamadaba, Pino Santo, etc. In the south there is a large bird park, Palmitos Park , as well as many beach resort communities. Resorts are concentrated in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area, which includes

3360-434: Was a highly respected scholar and author. His first wife was Cleopatra Selene II , daughter of Queen Cleopatra VII of Ptolemaic Egypt and Roman Triumvir Mark Antony . Juba II was a Berber prince from Numidia . He was the only child and heir of King Juba I of Numidia ; his mother's identity is unknown, though Juba II claimed to be a descendant of General Hannibal (Scol. Lucan, Pharsalia 8.287). In 46 BC, his father

3420-682: Was built in the Gymnasium of Ptolemy in recognition of his writings. Ten works by Juba II have provisionally been identified, but all are fragmentary: Juba's works survive only in quotations or citations by others, in both Greek and Latin. There are around 100 of these, about half in Pliny the Elder 's Natural History . Others can be found in Athenaeus, Plutarch , Claudius Aelianus Harpokration , Dioscórides , Galen , Philostratus , Herodian , Tatian , Ammianus Marcellinus , Solinus , Hesychius of Miletus , Stephanos of Byzantium , Photios ,

3480-556: Was defeated by Julius Caesar (in Thapsus , North Africa), and in 40 BC Numidia became a Roman province. His father had been an ally of the Roman General Pompey . Several modern scholars cite his age at Caesar's triumph in 46 BC as four or six giving rises to the typically cited birth year range of 52–50 BC, which his biographer, Duane Roller, believes is incorrect. Roller instead places his birth in early 48 BC because

3540-559: Was first announced in 2009, with a planned operational date in 2015. A public company called Ferrocarriles de Gran Canaria has been formed by the Cabildo's Gran Canaria Transport Authority. Plans were still being discussed in 2018. Gran Canaria agriculture is unique among the Canaries islands in that it was traditionally dominated by plantations, with much of these being grains as well as sugarcane , rather than by stock-breeding. The caves of Valerón (a property of cultural interest in

3600-476: Was formerly ascribed to him, but is now generally thought to have been written by an homonym . Juba II was a noted patron of the arts and sciences and sponsored several expeditions and biological research. According to Pliny the Younger , Juba II sent an expedition to the Canary Islands and Madeira . He named them the Canary Islands for the particularly ferocious dogs ( canarius – from canis – meaning of

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