Destinations - Atlantic Islands - Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, situated off the coast of Morocco (north west Africa) and under Spanish governance. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of Spain’s Las Palmas, which lies off the northwest coast of Africa. Also a port, the city is a major supply and fuelling station for transatlantic vessels. The chief industries here are tourism, fishing, and fish processing. The principal exports are foodstuffs and tobacco.Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, founded in 1478, contains a cathedral begun in the same year and a house visited by Christopher Columbus in 1492. The biggest event held is Carnaval. Every February the local people dress up and party trough the streets. The most important religious celebration held on Gran Canaria is the Fiesta de la Virgen del Pino, the festivities last for two weeks, culminating on 6 to 8 September. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hosts several important arts festivals, including the Festival Internacional de Mъsica (January); the Festival de Opera (February-March); the Festival de Ballet y Danza (May); and the Muestra Internacional de Cine, an international film festival held every two years in October and November. The Encuentro Teatral Tres Continentes draws theatre companies from Europe, Latin America and Africa to Agьimes (Gran Canaria) in September

View all the cruises that call at Gran Canaria, Atlantic Islands cruise destination

Companies: P & O Cruises, Royal Caribbean International,

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