A miniature continent

The Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2005. It takes in 43 percent of island's surface area, as well as an extensive marine area off the southwest coast.

Gran Canaria is in the Canary Islands archipelago, between Fuerteventura and Tenerife. The island is of volcanic origin, with a rounded shape. Its highest point is in the centre of the island, the conical Las Nieves Peak (1,949 metres). Its altitude and unusual relief make a range of different micro-climates and habitats possible. Gran Canaria's huge diversity of landscapes is the reason why it has come to be known as the "miniature continent": from canyons and mountainous peaks, to beaches, forests and cliffs. Almost half of the island's 1,560 square kilometres fall within the Biosphere Reserve area in the southwest of the island. It includes: the municipalities of Aldea de San Nicolás, Artenara and Tejeda; all the territory of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Agaete and Mogán, located at more than 300 metres above sea level; the marine area and a small part of the San Mateo Plain, in the centre of the island, which also falls within the El Nublo Nature Reserve. The area takes in nature reserves such as Inagua, Tamadaba and Pilancones, along with the huge Tejada Basin depression. Its mountains provide a water catchment area that drains into canyons and cultivated valleys, running down to the coast. In general terms, there are three different types of ecosystem: one is arid and semi-arid, with vegetation of spurges; another is sub-humid, where mention should be made of forests of Canary Island pine (a species unique to this area); the third is transitional humid, with fayal-brezal (fir and heath) vegetation and vestiges of laurisilva forest. There is also great biodiversity on the coast, with loggerhead turtles and cetaceans such as bottlenose and Risso's dolphins.