The islands were recognized as Spanish possessions in 1479. Spanish conquest of the islands was completed by the late 1490s. The indigenous population, the Guanche, a Berber people, eventually became extinct. Farming and fishing are the principal industries. The volcanic soil of the Canaries is extremely fertile, however, the islands have no rivers and severe droughts are common.
Tourism is also important, and the islands are a popular winter- resort area.
Fuerteventura is a volcano made of fissure vents Fuerteventura has erupted in the last 10,000 years. The island has six nature reserves, including Tindaya, and three national parks. Fuerteventura is recognized nationally and internationally for its endemic wild flora from the first period of the Cenozoic Era. Within a small geographical area a tremendous span of earth history is represented by plant species now extinct in many parts of the world. When I saw it, I had no doubt.