It’s easy just to assume something because it seems logical and makes sense, right? Such as that the Corralejo sand dunes are made of Sahara sand, blown by the eastern winds from around 100 km away Sahara desert. But they’re not! Keep reading to learn a couple of interesting, less-known facts about this beautiful island!
1. Fuerteventura was not always this dry
Around 15,000 years ago, during the so-called “African humid period,” northern Africa was way wetter than it is today. A big part of the Sahara desert was covered with grass, trees, and lakes; changes in vegetation in the Sahara strengthened the African monsoon, which led to much higher humidity also on the Canary Islands. Until around 5,000 years ago, when this period finished, Fuerteventura was green, with forests, trees, and lakes, too!
Did you know there are still some well-hidden, green spots on Fuerteventura, with fresh smelly grass, like the one in the photo?
2. Fuerteventura is the oldest Canary Island and also the closest to Africa
Fuerteventura is the second biggest island of the Canary archipelago (Tenerife being the biggest), but it is the longest (more than 100 km from north to south) and the closest to Africa, which is less than 100 km away. It’s also the oldest of the Canary Islands and was formed around 20 million years ago with a volcanic eruption. The last volcanic activity occurred about 5-4,000 years ago. The youngest volcano on Fuerteventura is Montaña de La Arena between Lajares, La Oliva, and Villaverde (in the photo).
3. Corralejo sand dunes are not made of Sahara sand
The Natural Park of the Corralejo dunes borders the city of Corralejo on its northern side and the “malpaís” (the volcanic rocks from the ancient lava flows) of Montaña Roja in the south. The dunes stretch along 8 km of coast and 3 km inland and are one of the most spectacular natural habitats on the island. Despite the common belief that the golden sand was (is) blown here from Sahara, that’s not true; its origin is organic. The so-called ‘sand’ is made from the pulverization and desegregation of various marine species, including shells and mollusks.
4. Fuerteventura is UNESCO protected
UNESCO declared Fuerteventura and its marine habitat a Biosphere Reserve in 2009 for its strong historical link between man and nature. In 2015 it was also recognized as a ‘Starlight Reserve’ due to its dark skies, full of stars, and some of the most beautiful Milky Way observation options.
5. Fuerteventura is Hollywood’s favorite
Did you know that Fuerteventura’s stunning landscape has appeared in no less than 72 movies so far and in some of the greatest of all time? Among others, you can find shots from Fuerteventura in Eternals (2021), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018), Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014), The Dictator (2012), Allied (2016), The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) and The Kill Team (2019).
