History of The Canary Islands
The first discoverers of the Canary Islands or as they were then called "Las Afortunadas"
The discovery of the Canary Islands has been the subject of controversy throughout history because there are various versions and theories about it. However, most scholars agree that the first to sight the islands were the ancient Phoenician navigators, although it cannot be said with certainty who discovered the Canaries.
Some historians maintain that the Phoenicians arrived on the islands in the 11th century BC. in search of minerals and raw materials, and that they were the ones who baptized them as "The Lucky Ones". According to this theory, the Phoenicians established small colonies on the islands, although they did not leave any trace of their presence.
Another theory suggests that the Carthaginians, in their eagerness to expand their empire, arrived in the Canary Islands in the 5th century BC. and established a military base in Lanzarote. According to this version, the Carthaginians called the islands "Punic" and used them as a stopover on their trade routes between the Mediterranean and Africa.
Later, in the 1st century BC, the Roman geographer Pliny the Elder made reference to the islands in his work "Naturalis Historia". According to him, the islands were inhabited by a tribe of canaries who were known for their prowess in hunting wild dogs.
However, it was the Genoese navigator Lancelotto Malocello who in 1312 accidentally discovered the island of Lanzarote while sailing to the south of Morocco. Malocello settled on the island and established trade relations with the aboriginal population.
In any case, it was not until the 15th century when the islands were officially incorporated into the kingdom of Castile and their conquest by the Spanish began. Today, the Canaries is an autonomous region of Spain with a rich history and culture of its own that attracts millions of tourists every year.
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