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 The third largest but most developed of the seven islands in the Spanish-administered Canary archipelago, Gran Canaria has been billed as a 'miniature continent' because of the variety of climates and landscapes that it offers, from the big city bustle of the capital, Las Palmas, to the serenity of its lush woodlands.
The Canaries lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 125 miles (200km) from the African coast and almost 800 miles (1,250km) from the closest European port of Cadiz. Gran Canaria is almost circular, with a diameter of about 32 miles (50km), and is characterised by deep ravines which radiate out from the centre down to the coast. The north of the island is humid, boasting green valleys and volcanic craters, while the south is arid and desert-like with vast stretches of beach. The capital, Las Palmas, lies on the northeast tip of the island, between two long beaches, Las Caletas and Alcaravaneras. The interior of Gran Canaria hosts steep highlands dotted with small villages, sporting white houses with red roofs, banana plantations and orchards bursting with tropical fruits. Tourists generally favour the southern coastline, flocking to the well-known beaches of Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas, where the sea washes soft sands and empty dunes stretch for miles. Gran Canaria Travel Facts: Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October); The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT +1 in summer).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 or 225 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Money: Spain's official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.
Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens must hold a passport (can be expired for up to one year), but no visa is required for a maximum stay of 90 days for those holding a passport endorsed British Citizen, European Community, British Dependent Territories Citizen or British Subject. Other UK passport holders require a visa and a passport valid at least three months beyond visa expiry date.
Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the UK, providing free emergency health care at State run hospitals. UK travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Note that private clinics are not covered, and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Tipping: Hotel and restaurant bills usually include service charges, but additional tips are welcomed for services rendered. In restaurants tips of about 15% are expected. In Mallorca value-added-tax is usually included in restaurant bills, designated 'I.V.A', and may be mistaken for service charge. Drivers of metered taxis expect tips of 10 to 15%. It is customary to tip small amounts, usually 5-10% for most services, including guides.
Safety: Visitors should be aware of the activities of the Basque terrorist group, ETA, who have renewed their threat to extend their terrorist campaign to Spanish tourist areas. Numerous small bomb explosions have occurred in a number of hotels and cities across Spain, but due to prior warnings severe damage and serious injury have been avoided. Customs: From 1 January 2006 laws against smoking in public places came into effect and stiff fines will be imposed for smoking in areas such as enclosed public spaces, areas where food is prepared and sold, public transport, designated areas of bars and restaurants, and any places that cater for children.
Communications: The international access code for Spain is +34. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Pay phones are either blue or green and accept either coins or phone cards, which are sold at post offices, tobacco shops, and newsagents. Three mobile phone operators provide thorough GSM 900/1800 coverage throughout the country and the Balearic and Canary Islands. Email and internet access is available at internet cafes in most towns and resorts.
Useful contact information: Spanish Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7589 8989 British Embassy, Madrid: +34 91 700 8200 |
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