Timanfaya National Park ( es, Parque Nacional de Timanfaya) is a Spanish
national park in the southwestern part of the island of
Lanzarote, in the
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...
. It covers parts of the municipalities
Tinajo and
Yaiza
Yaiza is a small town in the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Spain. It lies in the southwest of the island. The population in 2012 was 857. The town gives its name to the municipality of Yaiza, although it is much smaller than the l ...
. The area is , and the parkland is entirely made up of volcanic soil.
The statue ''
El Diablo'' by
César Manrique is its symbol.
It is the only Natural Park in Spain which is entirely geological. Timanfaya National Park represents a sign of recent and historical volcanism in the Macaronesian Region. The last volcanic eruptions occurred during the 18th century as well as on the 19th century.
Volcanic activity
The greatest recorded eruptions occurred between 1730 and 1736. The volcanic activity continues as the surface temperature in the core ranges from at the depth of , which is demonstrated by pouring water into the ground, resulting in a
geyser of
steam which is an attraction for tourists.
There is only one active volcano, Timanfaya volcano, after which the park is named.
File:Charco de los Ciclos. Lanzarote.jpg, ''Charco de los Clicos''
File:Lanzarote. Timanfaya.jpg, Timanfaya
File:Timanfaya boca volcán.JPG, Timanfaya
File:Timanfaya- Lanzarote- Illas Canarias- Spain-T18.jpg
El Diablo by César Manrique - Timanfaya - Lanzarote.JPG, El Diablo
Ecological value
In 1993,
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
designated a
Biosphere reserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...
covering the whole of Lanzarote. The national park is one of the core areas of the biosphere reserve.
Access to the park by the public is strictly regulated to protect the delicate flora and fauna. There are one or two footpaths, and a popular short route where one can visit by camel. There is a public car park from which one can tour the volcanic landscape by
coach
Coach may refer to:
Guidance/instruction
* Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities
* Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process
** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers
Transportation
* Co ...
using a road that is otherwise closed to the public.
References
External links
*
*http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/en/parques/timanfaya/index.htm
More Information and how to get there
Tourist attractions in Lanzarote
National parks of Spain
Biosphere reserves of Spain
Protected areas established in 1974
Protected areas of the Canary Islands
Volcanism of the Canary Islands
1974 establishments in Spain
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