View source for Fuerteventura

{{Short description|Canary Island}}
{{Expand Spanish|Fuerteventura|date=July 2020|topic=geo}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Fuerteventura
| image_name       = Fuerteventura from space.jpg
| image_caption    = Satellite view (2011)
| image_size       =
| map_image        = File:Spain Canary Islands location map Fuerteventura.svg
| map_caption      =
| native_name      =
| native_name_link =
| nickname         =
| demonym          = {{lang|es|majorero/-a}}
| location         = Atlantic Ocean
| coordinates      = {{Coord|28|24|N|14|00|W|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago      = [[Canary Islands]]
| total_islands    =
| major_islands    =
| area_km2         = 1659.74
| area_footnotes   = <ref name="istac_territorio">{{cite web |url=http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/jaxi-istac/menu.do?uripub=urn:uuid:fbc0bdc8-cacb-43b8-a5cb-a93f745dcff6 |title=Estadística del Territorio |publisher=Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC) |access-date=2019-08-14 |language=es |trans-title=Territory Statistics |archive-date=13 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113183210/http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/jaxi-istac/menu.do?uripub=urn:uuid:fbc0bdc8-cacb-43b8-a5cb-a93f745dcff6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| coastline_km     = 304
| coastline_footnotes = <ref name="istac_territorio" />
| elevation_m      = 807
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="istac_territorio" />
| country          = Spain
| country_admin_divisions_title    = [[Autonomous communities of Spain|Autonomous Community]]
| country_admin_divisions          = [[Canary Islands]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1  = [[Provinces of Spain|Province]]
| country_admin_divisions_1        = [[Province of Las Palmas|Las Palmas]]
| country_capital_and_largest_city = [[Puerto del Rosario]]
| country_largest_city_population  = 43,493
| population_footnotes             = <ref name=boepop>{{cite web |url=https://boe.es/boe/dias/2018/12/29/pdfs/BOE-A-2018-18083.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030249/https://boe.es/boe/dias/2018/12/29/pdfs/BOE-A-2018-18083.pdf |archive-date=2018-12-30 |url-status=live |title=Real Decreto 1458/2018, de 14 de diciembre, por el que se declaran oficiales las cifras de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal referidas al 1 de enero de 2019 |trans-title=Royal Decree 1458/2018, of 14 December, by which the population values resulting from the review of the municipal register of 01 January 2019 are declared official |language=es |date=2018-12-29 |website=[[Boletín Oficial del Estado|BOE]] |access-date=2019-08-14}}</ref>
| population       = 124,152
| population_as_of = start of 2023
| density_km2      = 74.8
| languages        = Spanish, specifically [[Canarian Spanish]]
| ethnic_groups    = [[Spaniards|Spanish]], [[Canary Islanders]], other minority groups
| timezone1        = [[Western European Time|WET]]
| utc_offset1      = ±00:00
| timezone1_DST    = [[Western European Summer Time|WEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST  = +01:00
}}
'''Fuerteventura''' ({{IPA|es|ˌfweɾteβenˈtuɾa|lang|Pronunciation of Fuerteventura in Spanish.ogg}}) is one of the [[Canary Islands]], in the Atlantic Ocean, geographically part of [[Macaronesia]], and politically part of [[Spain]]. It is located {{cvt|97|km|mi}} away from the coast of [[North Africa]]. The island was declared a [[biosphere reserve]] by [[UNESCO]] in 2009.
Fuerteventura belongs to the [[Province of Las Palmas]],<ref name="boepop" /> one of the two provinces that form the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. The island's capital is [[Puerto del Rosario]], where the Insule Council is found, the government of the island. Fuerteventura had 124,152 inhabitants ({{As of|lc=y|2023}}), the fourth largest population of the Canary Islands and the third of the province. At {{cvt|1659.74|km2}},<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101113155739/http://www2.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/estadisticas/esta_insulares/2__.html Tenerife es con 2034,38 km² la más extensa las islas.] Fuente: Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC)</ref> it is the second largest of the Canary Islands, after [[Tenerife]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://libretilla.com/las-islas-canarias-tamano/ |title=Las Islas Canarias según su tamaño |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 April 2021 |archive-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424171921/https://libretilla.com/las-islas-canarias-tamano/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From a geological point of view, Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the archipelago.
==Toponymy==
The island's name is a compound formed by the Spanish words ''fuerte'' (either "strong" or "fort") and ''ventura'' ("fortune"). Traditionally, Fuerteventura's name has been regarded as a reference to the strong winds (''fuertes vientos'' in Spanish) around the island coastline, and the resulting danger to nautical adventurers. However, it might have referred instead (or also) to wealth, luck or destiny.
In 1339 the Mallorcan navigator [[Angelino Dulcert]], in the ''Planisferio de Angelino Dulcert'', referred to the island as "Forte Ventura".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bienmesabe.org/noticia/2009/Enero/toponimia-sorpresiva-fuerteventura |title=Toponimia sorpresiva. Fuerteventura. |website=BienMeSabe.org |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=22 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822145739/https://www.bienmesabe.org/noticia/2009/Enero/toponimia-sorpresiva-fuerteventura |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of Fuerteventura|url=http://www.fuerteventura-beaches.com/history-of-fuerteventura.html|access-date=9 August 2016|archive-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819002719/http://www.fuerteventura-beaches.com/history-of-fuerteventura.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Storia di Fuerteventura |url=http://www.isoladifuerteventura.com/storia-di-fuerteventura.html |access-date=9 August 2016 |date=9 September 2014 |archive-date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823010941/http://www.isoladifuerteventura.com/storia-di-fuerteventura.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Another theory is that the island's name derives from "Fortunatae Insulae" (Fortunate Islands), the name by which the Romans knew the Canary Islands.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/canarias/abci-origen-nombre-islas-canarias-201808042046_noticia.html |title=Una a una, el origen del nombre de las islas Canarias |date=4 August 2018 |website=abc |access-date=1 November 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905063354/https://www.abc.es/espana/canarias/abci-origen-nombre-islas-canarias-201808042046_noticia.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[indigenous peoples|indigenous]] name of the island, before its conquest in the 15th century, was Erbania, divided into two regions (Jandía and Maxorata), from which the name majorero (originally majo or maxo) derives. However, it has been suggested that, at some point, Maxorata (which meant "the children of the country") was the aboriginal [[toponym]] of the entire island.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://insuloamaziq.blogspot.com.es/2012/09/mahorata.html |title=Nombre indígena de Fuerteventura |access-date=21 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021222338/http://insuloamaziq.blogspot.com.es/2012/09/mahorata.html |archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref>
==History==
[[File:Blick auf Morro Jable.jpg|thumb|right|Morro Jable]]
=== Precolonial history ===
[[File:Cantón de Maxorata.jpg|thumb|The two kingdoms of precolonial Fuerteventura: Jandía and Maxorata]]
The first settlers of Fuerteventura are believed to have come from North Africa. The word ''Mahorero'' (''Majorero'') or ''Maho'' is still used today to describe the people of Fuerteventura and is derived from the ancient word 'mahos', a type of goatskin shoe worn by these original inhabitants. They lived in caves and semi-subterranean dwellings, some of which have been excavated, revealing remnants of early tools and pottery. In antiquity, the island was originally known as ''Planaria'', in reference to the flatness of most of its terrain.
[[Phoenicia]]n settlers landed in Fuerteventura and [[Lanzarote]].{{Citation Needed|date=January 2024}}
Several Spanish and Portuguese expeditions to the islands were organized around 1340, followed by Moors and European slave traders. At the end of the Iberian conquest, the island was divided into two [[Guanches]] kingdoms, one adhering to King Guize and the other to King Ayoze. The territories of these kingdoms were called [[Maxorata Canton|Maxorata]] (in the North) and [[Jandía Canton|Jandía]] (in the South) respectively. They were separated by a wall, which traversed the La Pared isthmus. Some remains have been preserved. The ancient name for the island, Erbania, is derived from this wall's name.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pre Colonial History |url=https://www.fuerteventura.com/colonial |website=Fuerteventura |access-date=2020-05-01 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811212555/https://www.fuerteventura.com/colonial |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== The conquest ===
The island's conquest began in earnest in 1402, commanded by French knights and crusaders [[Jean de Béthencourt]] and [[Gadifer de la Salle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fuerteventura.com/History/conquest.shtml |title=Fuerteventura History – The Conquest of Fuerteventura |publisher=Fuerteventura.com |access-date=2013-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202073537/http://www.fuerteventura.com/History/conquest.shtml |archive-date=2 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> They arrived with only 63 sailors out of the original 283, as many had deserted along the way. After arriving and settling in [[Lanzarote]], the invaders made some first excursions to the neighboring islands. In 1404, Bethencourt and Gadifer founded [[Betancuria]], on the West coast, the first settlement on the island. After numerous difficulties, Gadifer took charge of the invasion, while Bethencourt returned to Spain to seek the recognition and support of the [[Kingdom of Castile|Castilian king]].
[[File:Iglesia Betancuria.JPG|thumb|right|Parish of Santa María de Betancuria, [[Betancuria]]]]
In 1405, de Béthencourt completed his conquest of the island, establishing its capital in Betancuria (Puerto Rosario took over the mantle as island capital in 1835).
In 1424 Pope [[Martin V]], through the [[Betancuria]] Brief, edicted the establishment of the [[Bishopric of Fuerteventura]], which encompassed all the [[Canary Islands]] save for the island of [[Lanzarote]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.juliosanchezrodriguez.com/convertidos/07-02_Cisma.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507223454/http://www.juliosanchezrodriguez.com/convertidos/07-02_Cisma.pdf |archive-date=2016-05-07 |url-status=live |title=El Cisma de Occidente y el Obispado de Fuerteventura}}</ref> The origin of this bishopric is directly related to the events that occurred after the [[Western Schism|Great Schism]] (1378–1417), in that the bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Canarias|San Marcial del Rubicón]] of [[Lanzarote]] (at the time, the only diocese in the Canary Islands) did not recognize the papacy of Martin V, and instead adhered to [[anti-Pope]] [[Antipope Benedict XIII|Benedict XIII]]. The ''Bishopric of Fuerteventura'' was based in the ''Parish of Santa María de Betancuria'', bestowing upon the latter the status of Grant Cathedral. After the reabsorbtion of the ''Diocese of San Marcial del Rubicón'' by the papacy of Pope Martin V, the Bishopric of Fuerteventura was abolished in 1431, only seven years after it was created.<ref name="auto1"/>
The first census{{when|date=February 2021}} recorded a population of some 1,200 inhabitants. The population increased gradually thereafter. In 1476 the territory became the ''Señorío Territorial de Fuerteventura'', subjected to the [[Catholic Monarchs]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070401163550/http://www.ayuntamientotuineje.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=59&page=3 Se reconoce al conquistador su dominio sobre la isla.] Fuente: Ayuntamiento de [[Tuineje]].</ref> In later years, the island was invaded by the Spanish, French and the English.
=== 2nd conquest of Fuerteventura ===
Over time, the island endured numerous raids. A [[Berber people|Berber]]-led expedition invaded in 1593, sweeping as far inland as the capital. Various castles were built along the coastline, to protect against these type of attacks. The population was moved inland as a second protective measure. Because of the raids, a first ''Captain General'' was dispatched to Fuerteventura, accompanied by a number of ''Sergeants Major'', to defend the island in the name of the Crown. At that time, Betancuria became the religious capital of the island.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070401163550/http://www.ayuntamientotuineje.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=59&page=3 The principal economic motor of the epoch was orchilla, cereal and cattle.] Source: [[Tuineje]] council.</ref>
Two major [[Attacks on Fuerteventura in 1740|attacks]] took place in 1740, within a month of each other. Two separate bands of English privateers attempted to loot the town of Tuineje. These attacks were however successfully averted by the local population and the island's militia. This successful repelling of the invaders is celebrated at a re-enactment that takes place in Gran Tarajal every year in October.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gran Tarajal |url=https://www.fuerteventuraguide.com/gran-tarajal/ |website=Fuerteventura Guide |access-date=26 July 2017 |ref=32 |archive-date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210122234/https://www.fuerteventuraguide.com/gran-tarajal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The island's garrison was officially instated in 1708. Its colonel assumed the title of ''Governor at Arms'', a hereditary, lifelong appointment which has remained in the Sánchez-Dumpiérrez family. In time, this family increasingly garnered power over the other islands through alliances with the family of Arias de Saavedra and the Lady of Fuerteventura.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070522001858/http://www.corralejograndesplayas.com/info_general.php?id_seccion=1&pagina=3 El marqués de Vallehermoso intenta que la población se ponga a favor del poder de la corona frente al señorío.] Source: [[La Oliva]] council</ref> During the same year the ''Assistant Parish of [[La Oliva]] and [[Pájara]]'' was created, to become operational in 1711. On 17 December 1790, the ''Assistant Parish of [[Tuineje]]'' was created, which became a new parish division on 23 June 1792 under the bishop Tavira, with lands including part of the Jandía peninsular, and with a population of 1,670 inhabitants. 1780 saw the start of a barrilla plantation industry.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090110021851/http://www.ayuntamientotuineje.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=59&page=4 Reseña histórica] Source: [[Tuineje]] council</ref>
===To the present===
In 1852, a free trade zone was extended by [[Isabella II of Spain|Isabella II]] to the Canary Islands. Military island rule, which began in 1708, was finally dissolved in 1859, and ''Puerto de Cabras'' (now [[Puerto del Rosario]]) - the only municipal seat on the coast - became the new capital.
[[File:Castillo de San Buenaventura.jpg|thumb|Castillo de San Buenaventura]]
The Canary Islands obtained self-governance in 1912. In 1927, Fuerteventura and [[Lanzarote]] became part of the province of [[Gran Canaria]]. The seat of the island's government (''cabildo insular'') is located in [[Puerto del Rosario]]. A total of 118,574 people lived on the island in 2018.
By the 1940s the island had an airport (just west of [[Puerto del Rosario]] on the road to Tindaya, still visible today). Mass tourism began to arrive in the mid-1960s, facilitated by the construction of [[Fuerteventura Airport]] at [[El Matorral]] and the first tourist hotels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=20th Century to present day |url=https://www.fuerteventura.com/20th-century |website=Fuerteventura |access-date=2020-05-01|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811213645/https://www.fuerteventura.com/20th-century|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The island's proximity (a mere 100&nbsp;km) to the West African coast and the fact that it is part of the [[Schengen Area|Schengen]] territory make it a prime target destination for undocumented immigrants. However, many have perished while attempting the crossing.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press-release/msf-assists-immigrants-arriving-fuerteventura-island |title=MSF Assists Immigrants Arriving at Fuerteventura Island &#124; MSF USA |access-date=8 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308223046/http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/press-release/msf-assists-immigrants-arriving-fuerteventura-island |archive-date=8 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Flag==
[[File:Flag of Fuerteventura.svg|thumb|right|Flag of Fuerteventura]]
The flag of Fuerteventura is in proportions 1:2, divided vertically, green to the [[Hoist (flag)|hoist]] and white to the [[Flag terminology|fly end]], with the coat of arms of the island in the centre.
===Coat of arms===
The coat of arms of Fuerteventura was prescribed by a Decree adopted on 15 October 1998 by the Government of the Canary Islands and published on 11 November 1998 in the official gazette of the Canary Islands, No. 142, pp.&nbsp;13,432–13,433. It was adopted on 24 April 1998 by the Island Council and validated on 18 September 1998 by the Heraldry Commission of the Canary Islands.
The heraldic description is "[[per pale]] and [[per fess]]. First, [[gules]], a castle or, [[Variation of the field#Masoned|masoned]] [[Sable (heraldry)|sable]], its gate and windows [[Azure (heraldry)|azure]].
Second, [[argent]], lion gules, crowned, armed and [[langued]] or. Third, silver, three fesses [[chequy]] gules and or, in four rows, each one charged with a fess or.
[[Bordure]] gules, with eight [[saltire]]s or. [[Ensign (flag)#Heraldic ensigns|Ensigned]] with a [[Crown (heraldry)|royal crown]], open."
According to José Manuel Erbez (Banderas y escudos de Canarias, 2007), the coat of arms is based on the arms of the island's provincial militia.
The upper quarters represent Castile (symbolized by a castle) and León (symbolized by a lion). The lower quarter alludes to the Saavedra family; various members of this family were lords of Fuerteventura.
<ref>[https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/es-ic-fv.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801053837/https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/es-ic-fv.html|date=1 August 2020}} Flags of the World website – Fuerteventura</ref><ref>[http://simbolosdecanarias.proel.net/eng/fuerteventura] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180109/http://simbolosdecanarias.proel.net/eng/fuerteventura|date=9 February 2019}} Symbols of the Canary Islands website</ref>
==Geography==
{{wide image|Barranco de Pecenescal - Fuerteventura.jpg|700px|Barranco de Pecenescal}}
===Environment===
[[File:Euphorbia regis-jubae.jpg|thumb|right|''Euphorbia regis-jubae'', food plant of ''[[Hyles tithymali]]'']]
The elongated island is {{cvt|100|km|0|abbr=off}} long and {{cvt|31|km|0|abbr=off}} wide.  It has an area of {{cvt|1660|km2|0}}.
Located just {{cvt|100|km|0}} off the coast of North Africa, it is the second biggest of the islands, after Tenerife, and has the longest white sand beaches in the archipelago. The island is a destination for sun, beach and watersports enthusiasts. It lies at the same latitude as Florida and Mexico and temperatures rarely fall below {{cvt|18|°C|0}} or rise above {{cvt|32|°C|0}}. It counts 152 separate beaches along its seaboard — {{cvt|50|km|0}} of white sand and {{cvt|25|km|0}} of black volcanic shingle.
The highest point in Fuerteventura is Pico de la Zarza standing at 2648 ft (807 m) in the southwestern part of the island. Geographical features include '''Istmo de la Pared''' which is {{cvt|5|km|0}} wide and is the narrowest part of Fuerteventura. The island is divided into two parts, the northern portion which is '''Maxorata''' and the southwestern part called the Jandía peninsula.
===Climate===
Fuerteventura has a [[Desert climate|hot desert climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BWh'').<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meteorología |first=Agencia Estatal de |title=Valores climatológicos normales - Agencia Estatal de Meteorología - AEMET. Gobierno de España |url=https://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.aemet.es |language=es}}</ref> The climate is mild, but mostly windy, throughout the year. The island is hence referred to as ''the island of eternal spring''. The sea regulates air temperature, diverting hot [[Sahara]] winds away from the island. The island's name in English translates as "strong fortune" or "strong wind", the Spanish word for wind being ''[[:wiktionary:viento|viento]]''. During the winter months, temperatures average a high of {{cvt|22|°C|0}} and a low of around {{cvt|15|°C|0}}, whereas during the summer a mean high of {{cvt|28|°C|0}} and a low of {{cvt|20|°C|0}} can be expected. Precipitation is about {{cvt|147|mm|0}} per year, most of which falls in autumn and winter. December is the month with highest rainfall.
A sandstorm known as the [[Saharan Air Layer|Calima]] (similar to the [[Sirocco]] wind, which blows to the North of the Sahara, to Europe) may blow from the Sahara Desert to the Northwest, and can cause high temperatures, low visibility and drying air. Temperatures during this phenomenon rise temporarily by approximately 10 degrees Celsius. The wind brings in fine red dust, The fine white sand is not blown in from Sahara, It is made up of dead coral reef and local seabed upheaval. Visibility can drop to between {{cvt|100|and|200|m|2|lk=out}} or even lower, and together with very warm temperatures, it can even bring African [[locust]]s to the island.
{{Weather box
|location = [[Fuerteventura Airport]], 25 m (1981–2010)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 28.5
|Feb record high C = 30.8
|Mar record high C = 34.0
|Apr record high C = 38.0
|May record high C = 36.8
|Jun record high C = 41.6
|Jul record high C = 43.0
|Aug record high C = 41.0
|Sep record high C = 37.9
|Oct record high C = 36.5
|Nov record high C = 34.8
|Dec record high C = 29.5
|year record high C = 43.0
|Jan high C = 20.6
|Feb high C = 21.0
|Mar high C = 22.2
|Apr high C = 22.9
|May high C = 24.1
|Jun high C = 25.8
|Jul high C = 27.3
|Aug high C = 27.8
|Sep high C = 27.5
|Oct high C = 26.1
|Nov high C = 24.0
|Dec high C = 22.0
|year high C = 24.3
|Jan mean C = 17.6
|Feb mean C = 17.9
|Mar mean C = 18.9
|Apr mean C = 19.5
|May mean C = 20.6
|Jun mean C = 22.5
|Jul mean C = 24.0
|Aug mean C = 24.6
|Sep mean C = 24.4
|Oct mean C = 22.9
|Nov mean C = 20.9
|Dec mean C = 18.9
|year mean C = 21.1
|Jan low C = 14.7
|Feb low C = 14.8
|Mar low C = 15.5
|Apr low C = 16.0
|May low C = 17.1
|Jun low C = 19.1
|Jul low C = 20.8
|Aug low C = 21.5
|Sep low C = 21.2
|Oct low C = 19.8
|Nov low C = 17.7
|Dec low C = 15.9
|year low C = 17.8
|Jan record low C = 8.0
|Feb record low C = 8.0
|Mar record low C = 8.0
|Apr record low C = 9.5
|May record low C = 11.6
|Jun record low C = 13.0
|Jul record low C = 14.0
|Aug record low C = 15.0
|Sep record low C = 15.0
|Oct record low C = 12.0
|Nov record low C = 10.5
|Dec record low C = 9.0
|year record low C = 8.0
|Jan rain mm = 14
|Feb rain mm = 16
|Mar rain mm = 12
|Apr rain mm = 5
|May rain mm = 1
|Jun rain mm = 0
|Jul rain mm = 0
|Aug rain mm = 0
|Sep rain mm = 2
|Oct rain mm = 8
|Nov rain mm = 13
|Dec rain mm = 26
|Jan rain days = 2.5
|Feb rain days = 2.4
|Mar rain days = 1.9
|Apr rain days = 1.0
|May rain days = 0.2
|Jun rain days = 0.0
|Jul rain days = 0.0
|Aug rain days = 0.1
|Sep rain days = 0.5
|Oct rain days = 1.7
|Nov rain days = 2.2
|Dec rain days = 3.2
|year rain days =
|Jan sun = 190
|Feb sun = 190
|Mar sun = 233
|Apr sun = 242
|May sun = 280
|Jun sun = 285
|Jul sun = 294
|Aug sun = 289
|Sep sun = 246
|Oct sun = 227
|Nov sun = 203
|Dec sun = 186
|year sun = 2836
|Jan humidity = 68
|Feb humidity = 69
|Mar humidity = 68
|Apr humidity = 65
|May humidity = 66
|Jun humidity = 67
|Jul humidity = 69
|Aug humidity = 71
|Sep humidity = 72
|Oct humidity = 73
|Nov humidity = 71
|Dec humidity = 71
|year humidity = 69
|source 1 = [[Agencia Estatal de Meteorología]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=C249I&k=coo |title=Valores climatológicos normales. Fuerteventura Aeropuerto |access-date=2 November 2015 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185054/http://www.aemet.es/es/serviciosclimaticos/datosclimatologicos/valoresclimatologicos?l=C249I&k=coo |url-status=live }}</ref>
|date = December 2014}}
===Hydrology===
In the winter months, up to 80% of the rainwater flows unused into the ocean, as there is no vegetation to capture the water (also due to [[overgrazing]] by free-ranging goats near the coast).
The mountain forests, which were still present in the 19th century, were all chopped down.
Instead, there are many desalination plants (running on electricity) which produce the required amount of freshwater on the island. The tourists on the island use about double the amount of water as the native inhabitants of Fuerteventura. Causes are the filling of swimming pools, watering hotel gardens and washing towels.<ref>DuMont Extra, Fuerteventura, Susanne Lipps</ref>
===Geology===
Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the Canary Islands dating back 20 million years to a volcanic eruption from the [[Canary hotspot]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Geology of the Canary Islands {{!}} ScienceDirect|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128096635/the-geology-of-the-canary-islands|access-date=2020-10-21|isbn=9780128096635 |archive-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609183844/https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128096635/the-geology-of-the-canary-islands|url-status=live |last1=Troll |first1=Valentin R. |last2=Carracedo |first2=Juan Carlos |date=10 June 2016 |publisher=Elsevier Science }}</ref> The majority of the island was created about 5 million years ago and since then has been eroded by wind and precipitation. On the seabed off the west coast of the island rests an enormous slab of bedrock {{cvt|22|km|0}} long and {{cvt|11|km|0}} wide, which appears to have slid off the island largely intact at some point in prehistory, similar to the predicted future collapse of [[Cumbre Vieja]], a geological fault on another Canary Island, [[La Palma]]. The last volcanic activity in Fuerteventura occurred between 4,000 and 5,000 years ago.
{{wide image|Fuerteventura D81 6914 (39814797895).jpg|700px|Fuerteventura seen from the south}}
===Beaches===
[[File:Fuerteventura kueste2 750px.jpg|thumb|right|The black-sand beach at [[Ajuy, Pájara|Ajuy]]]]
Fuerteventura was chosen among 500 European destinations by the Quality Coast International Certification Program of the European Coastal and Marine Union as one of the most attractive tourist destinations for visitors interested in cultural heritage, environment and sustainability. The best beaches to visit are Playa de Cofete, Playas de Jandia, Playas de Corralejo, Playa de Ajuy, and Playas de El Cotillo.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qualitycoast.info/brochure/qc2012.pdf |title=STRATO – Domain not available |website=www.qualitycoast.info|access-date=26 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918125549/http://www.qualitycoast.info/brochure/qc2012.pdf|archive-date=18 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Wildlife===
[[File:shoreline.jpg|thumb|Typical xerophytic vegetation in Fuerteventura, contrasting with the [[laurisilva]] forests on the islands of [[El Hierro]], [[La Gomera]] and [[La Palma]] which are exposed to the [[Gulf Stream]]]]
[[File:xerophytic brassica.jpg|thumb|left|Food plant of ''[[Pontia daplidice]]'' on Fuerteventura. It is pollinated by ''Amegilla cavifrons''.]]
[[File:Delta dimiatipenne.jpg|thumb|right|The hunting wasp ''Delta dimiatipenne'']]
The island is home to one of the two surviving populations of the threatened [[Canarian Egyptian vulture]]. It is also inhabited by many wild dogs and cats. On the barren, rocky land there are [[Barbary ground squirrel]]s and [[gecko]]s. Fuerteventura also hosts several migratory and nesting birds. The island has significant populations of the [[collared dove]], common [[Swift (bird)|swift]]s and several [[finch]] species especially in the vicinity of holiday developments.
Despite its arid climate, the island is also home to a surprisingly large insect fauna. Butterflies which commonly occur on the island include the clouded yellow (''[[Colias hyale]]'') and the bath white (''[[Pontia daplidice]]'') which feeds on [[xerophytic]] [[cruciferae]]. The island is also home to the monarch butterfly (''[[Danaus plexippus]]'') and its close African relative ''[[Danaus chrysippus]]''. Around holiday developments such as [[Caleta de Fuste]], water is relatively abundant, and [[dragonfly]] species including the blue emperor (''[[Anax imperator]]'') and the scarlet darter (''[[Crocothemis erythraea]]'') can be found. The island's sand dunes and shoreline are home to a number of [[bee]] and [[wasp]] species including the large [[Potter wasp|eumenid]] caterpillar hunting wasp, ''[[Delta dimidiatipenne]]'' and the blue banded bee (''[[Amegilla canifrons]]'').
[[Hawkmoth]]s also occur on the island. One of the more notable species is ''[[Hyles tithymali]]'' which feeds on endemic spurges such as ''Euphorbia regis-jubae''. ''[[Acherontia atropos]]'', the deaths-head hawkmoth also occurs on the island presumably feeding on members of the [[Solanaceae]], for example, ''[[Datura innoxia]]'' and ''[[Nicotiana glauca]]'' which are common weeds in the vicinity of human habitation.
== Natural symbols ==
{{Main|List of animal and plant symbols of the Canary Islands}}
The official natural symbols associated with Fuerteventura are ''[[Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae]]'' (hubara or houbara) and ''[[Euphorbia handiensis]]'' (Cardón de Jandía).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/1991/061/001.html |title=BOC – 1991/061. Viernes 10 de Mayo de 1991 – 577 |website=www.gobiernodecanarias.org |access-date=15 July 2019 |archive-date=10 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410055954/http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/boc/1991/061/001.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Demographics ==
[[File:MVC-024S.JPG|thumb|right|The People's University Building, a branch of UNED ([[Puerto del Rosario]])]]
=== Population ===
The island had a population of 124,152 at the start of 2023.<ref name=boepop /> Throughout its long history, Fuerteventura has suffered from a [[population decline]] due to the economic situation and the climate, which have made it into a desert island. However, the development of tourism during the 1980s has caused the population to grow year on year since then, doubling it in a little less than a decade.
In 2005, with 86,642 registered inhabitants,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do?path=/t20/e260/a2005/l0/&file=mun35.px&type=pcaxis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116032345/http://www.ine.es/jaxi/tabla.do?path=%2Ft20%2Fe260%2Fa2005%2Fl0%2F&file=mun35.px&type=pcaxis|archive-date=16 November 2014 |title=Instituto Nacional de Estadística.|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Fuerteventura population was formed by the following:
*Born on the island: 30,364
*Born on another Canary Island: 13,175
*Born elsewhere in Spain: 20,938
*Born in other countries: 22,165
Comparing this data with the 2001 census shows that the number of permanent residents born on the island has increased by just 3,000. The number who have moved in from abroad has increased by 22,910, making this the biggest contributor to population growth in recent years.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070421075723/http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/publicaciones/pdfs/2006_005.pdf The total population in 2001 was 60,273 inhabitants.] Source: Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC)</ref>
=== Education ===
The island has 116 schools,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070101162743/http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/estadisticas/educacion/no_universitaria/centros_2003_1.html 2003–2004 data. Only two of the centres are private.] Source: Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC)</ref> with a total of 14,337 pupils.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090116041450/http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/estadisticas/educacion/no_universitaria/alnouniv_2003_1.html 2003–2004 data. Puerto del Rosario has 6,468 alumni of Enseñanzas de Régimen General. Tuineje is the second largest with 2,647] Source: Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC)</ref> Of these, 45 are primary schools, ten are secondary schools, six are for [[Bachillerato|Baccalaureate]] students and four are vocational colleges.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070101162743/http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/istac/estadisticas/educacion/no_universitaria/centros_2003_1.html 2003–2004 data. Most of these centres are in Puerto del Rosario. At the other extreme, Betancuria only has 3 infant schools and 3 primary schools.] Source: Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC)</ref>
Fuerteventura also has a centre linked with the [[National University of Distance Education]], offering courses in many subjects including economics, business studies, law, history and tourism.<ref>[http://apliweb.uned.es/casociados/mostrar_centro.asp?cod=059000 The centre is directed by Esteban Rodríguez Pérez.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426050150/http://apliweb.uned.es/casociados/mostrar_centro.asp?cod=059000 |date=26 April 2012 }} Source: [[Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia]] (UNED)</ref>
== Administration ==
Fuerteventura is governed by the Island Department of the Government of Spain, which holds the rank of a Government Subdepartment. The government building is located in the centre of the capital city.
This institution is charged with representing the Government of Spain on the island, and managing all the functions that are not under control of the Canarian Government. This includes the following public services:
*Island Security Forces (National Police and [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Guardia Civil]])
*Puerto del Rosario port and Fuerteventura Airport
*Tax Agency
*Customs
*the Maritime and Coastguard department
*Driving licences, Traffic and Highways
*Immigration – the Immigration Detention Centre and residential permits
*Social Security
*Red Cross
*Seprona (the Nature Protection Service)
*Passports
Since 30 June 2007, the island's governor has been Eustaquio Juan Santana Gil.<ref>Orden MAPU/2145/2007, 12 July (BOE 16 July 2007)</ref> 4
=== Island Council of Fuerteventura (Cabildo)===
The councils, formed as part of the Councils Act of 1912, administer the [[Canary Islands]] and have two principal functions. On one hand, they perform services for the Autonomous Community, and on the other, they are the local government centre for the island. In the 2003 elections, Mario Cabrera González was elected as president representing the [[Canarian Coalition]], with 31.02% of the votes, followed by the [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party]] with 27.53%, represented by the Vice President Domingo Fuentes Curbelo.
=== Municipalities ===
[[File:Fue19.JPG|thumb|right|City Council of [[Puerto del Rosario]]]]
Fuerteventura is part of the [[Province of Las Palmas]]. The island is divided into six [[List of municipalities in Las Palmas|municipalities]], as follows:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" | Name
! rowspan="2" | Area<br />(km<sup>2</sup>)
! colspan="3" | Census Population
! rowspan="2" | Estimated<br>Population<br />(2023)<ref>Estimate at 1 January 2023: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Madrid.</ref>
|-
! 2001<ref>Census at 1 November 2001: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Madrid.</ref>
! 2011<ref>Census at 1 November 2011: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Madrid.</ref>
! 2021<ref>Census at 1 January 2021: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Madrid.</ref>
|-
|[[Antigua, Fuerteventura|Antigua]]
| align="right" |250.56
| align="right" |5,519
| align="right" |10,391
| align="right" |12,782
| align="right" |13,513
|-
|[[Betancuria]]
| align="right" |103.64
| align="right" |685
| align="right" |770
| align="right" |755
| align="right" |811
|-
|[[La Oliva]]
| align="right" |356.13
| align="right" |10,548
| align="right" |22,827
| align="right" |27,503
| align="right" |29,174
|-
|[[Pájara]]
| align="right" |383.52
| align="right" |12,382
| align="right" |19,773
| align="right" |20,892
| align="right" |21,130
|-
|[[Puerto del Rosario]]
| align="right" |289.95
| align="right" |21,296
| align="right" |35,878
| align="right" |41,852
| align="right" |43,493
|-
|[[Tuineje]]
| align="right" |275.94
| align="right" |9,843
| align="right" |13,302
| align="right" |15,494
| align="right" |16,031
|- style="background-color:#F6F6F6; font-weight:bold;"
|Totals
| align="right" |1,659.74
| align="right" |60,273
| align="right" |102,941
| align="right" |119,278
| align="right" |124,152
|}
In turn, these municipalities are organised into two associations: the ''Mancomunidad de Municipios del Centro-Norte de Fuerteventura'' formed from La Oliva and Puerto del Rosario, and the remaining municipalities make up the ''Mancomunidad de Municipios del Centro-Sur de Fuerteventura''.<ref>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.dgal.map.es/cgi-bin/webapb/webdriver?MIval=mancomunidades&n_prov=Palmas,+Las |title=Mancomunidades de la provincia de Palmas, Las (Canarias ) |date=Sep 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929130006/http://www.dgal.map.es/cgi-bin/webapb/webdriver?MIval=mancomunidades&n_prov=Palmas,+Las |archive-date=Sep 29, 2007 }}</ref>
All municipalities are ruled by a town council, and are members of the FECAM (Federation of Canarian Municipalities). They are governed by the basic legislation of the local regime and their respective organic rules.
About 100 individual settlements are distributed through these municipalities. The largest not being municipal seats are [[Corralejo]] (in La Oliva;  pop. 10,714 in 2023), [[Morro Jable]] (in Pájara;  pop. 8,245) [[Gran Tarajal]] (in Tuineje;  pop. 7,584), and [[Costa Calma]] (in Pájara;  pop. 5,704), all coastal localities of recent development.
A nearby islet, [[Islote de Lobos]], is close to Corralejo and part of the municipality of [[La Oliva]].
==Economy==
[[File:Fuerteventura kueste3 750px.jpg|thumb|right|Fuerteventura coastline]]
Both Fuerteventura and [[Lanzarote]] would have been the main exporters of wheat and cereals to the central islands of the archipelago during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries; [[Tenerife]] and [[Gran Canaria]].<ref name=A>{{cite web |url=http://www.cabildofuer.es/documentos/Patrimonio_cultural/jornadas_ftv_lzt/volumenes/06_jornadas_ftv_lzt.pdf |title=Jornadas de Estudios sobre Lanzarote y Fuerteventura |access-date=3 August 2019 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803011907/http://www.cabildofuer.es/documentos/Patrimonio_cultural/jornadas_ftv_lzt/volumenes/06_jornadas_ftv_lzt.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> However, this trade was of little benefit to the inhabitants of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (because the landowners of the islands profited from this activity), leading to periods of famine, resulting  in some of the population of the islands moving to Tenerife and Gran Canaria to try to improve their lives. Therefore, the island of Tenerife became the main focus of attraction for ''majoreros'' and ''lanzaroteños'', hence the feeling of union that has always existed amongst these islands.<ref name=A/>
The economy of Fuerteventura is mainly based on tourism. Primary tourist areas are located around the existing towns of [[Corralejo]] in the north and [[Morro Jable]] in [[Jandia]], plus the purely tourist development of [[Caleta de Fuste]], south of [[Puerto del Rosario]]. Other main industries are fishing and agriculture (cereals and vegetables). The famous [[Majorero cheese]] is locally made from the milk of the indigenous [[majorera]] goat.
In 2009, Fuerteventura recorded the highest EU regional unemployment rate at a NUTS3 level, at 29.2 percent.<ref>Eurostat. {{cite web |url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/region_cities/regional_statistics/data/main_tables |title=Main Tables |access-date=2014-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620191159/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/region_cities/regional_statistics/data/main_tables |archive-date=20 June 2014}}</ref>
===Tourism===
The first tourist hotel was built in 1965 followed by the construction of [[Fuerteventura Airport]] at El Matorral, heralding the dawn of a new era for the island. Fuerteventura, with its 3,000 sunshine hours a year, was placed firmly on the world stage as a major European holiday destination.<ref>{{cite book |title=Canary Islands, 4th edition |author=Sarah Andrews, Josephine Quintero |publisher=Lonely Planet |year=2007}}</ref>
While having fully developed tourist facilities, the island has not experienced the overdevelopment found on some other islands.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} Nonetheless, it remains a destination for predominantly but not exclusively European tourists.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Almeida-Santana |first1=Arminda |last2=Moreno-Gil |first2=Sergio |date=2018 |title=Effective island brand architecture: promoting island tourism in the Canary Islands and other archipelagos |journal=Island Studies Journal |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=77–79 |doi=10.24043/isj.45|doi-access=free|hdl=10553/69879 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
The summer [[Trade Winds]] and winter swells of the Atlantic make this a year-round surfers' paradise, with more exposed areas on the north and west shores such as [[Corralejo]] and El Cotillo proving most popular. Wind surfing takes places at locations around the island. Sailors, scuba divers and big-game fishermen are all drawn to these clear blue Atlantic waters where whales, dolphins, marlin and turtles are all common sights. With many hills present throughout the Island, hikers are also attracted to this Island.<ref>{{cite book |title=Landscapes of Fuerteventura, A Countryside Guide, 4th edition |author=Noel Rochford |publisher=Sunflower Books |year=2007}}</ref>
Sandy beaches are found in many locations. Western beaches, such as those around El Cotillo, can experience strong surf. The beaches adjoining the extensive sand dunes east of [[Corralejo]] are popular, as are the more protected extensive sandy shores of the Playa de Sotavento de Jandia on the southeastern coast between [[Costa Calma]] and the Morro Jable. Naked sun bathing and swimming are the norm almost on all beaches.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}
Much of the interior, with its large plains, lavascapes and volcanic mountains, consists of protected areas, although there are organised tours and vehicular access across them.
{{wide image|fuerteventura panorama1 1200px.jpg|700px|Mountaintop of Cardón (619 m), viewed from the west}}
== Art and culture ==
=== Traditional holidays ===
[[File:Gala reina 2000 Fuerteventura.jpg|thumb|right|Candidates compete to be Queen of the Rose Festival in 2000 [[Puerto del Rosario]].]]
[[File:Virgen de la Peña, Vega del Río Palmas Betancuria Fuerteventura.jpg|thumb|Alabaster image of the [[Virgen de la Peña (Fuerteventura)|Virgen de la Peña (Patron saint of Fuerteventura)]]]]
Like the rest of the Canaries, Carnival is traditionally one of the biggest festivals celebrated on the island. It is celebrated in different ways in all the towns during February and March. These festivities have a different theme each year. They include activities such as parades and galas to choose the carnival king.
=== Concerts and festivals ===
[[File:King Africa in Puerto del Rosario.jpg|thumb|right|[[King África]] in [[Puerto del Rosario]] in September 2000]]
There are many concerts and festivals held in the auditoriums, such as the Festival of Canarian Music. They are also held in smaller venues across the island, featuring bands such as Estopa, Van Gogh's Ear, and King Afrhica.
*Lebrancho Rock: in 2004, the Town Hall of [[Puerto del Rosario]] started this initiative for the growing number of local bands who had been performing in the area for years but had not had the chance to play at the same event.
*Fuertemusica: like Lebrancho Rock, this festival aims to encourage the local or emerging groups. It started in the same year. This festival is mainly for groups that are already known in the music world. It takes place in El Cotillo.
*In the municipality of [[Betancuria]] (more specifically in the village of Vega de Rio Palmas) held every year the festivities in honor of the Virgen de la Peña, patron saint of the island of Fuerteventura, the most representative is the [[pilgrimage]] in which are involved people from all corners of the island. The holiday is celebrated on the third Saturday of September.
Festival Internacional de Cometas/International [[Kite]] Festival is held on the second week of November each year centering on the Corralejo Beaches. It attracts kitefliers and kite surfers from all over Europe. It is popular because the winds are warm and constant and the beaches become filled with hundreds of colourful kites of all shapes and sizes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laoliva.es/ver_evento.php?id_evento=16 |title=XXIX Festival Internacional de Cometas 2016 |work=Ayuntamiento de La Oliva|access-date=2016-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107112347/http://www.laoliva.es/ver_evento.php?id_evento=16|archive-date=7 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Auditoriums ===
[[File:Ensayos de la Compañía Nacional de Danza 2 en Fuerteventura.jpg|thumb|right|Members of the National Dance Company in the [[Puerto del Rosario]] Auditorium on 25 July 2000]]
Fuerteventura has three auditoriums. These are used for all types of performing art. They are also used for non-artistic purposes, such as conferences, charity galas and political meetings.
*The Isle of Fuerteventura Auditorium
*Gran Tarajal Auditorium
*Corralejo Auditorium
=== Central library ===
The Central Library of the Island is located in Antigua's city centre, in the public university. In addition to providing the traditional library services, it has a 180-seat multipurpose room, air conditioning, a wifi zone, and a multimedia room used for seminars, presentations, film festivals etc.
=== Museums and exhibition spaces ===
[[File:Mvc-545s.jpg|thumb|right|The museum in [[Betancuria]]]]
The island has several museums with different themes and plenty of exhibition spaces, both public and private. These include:
*The Antigua Windmill Craft Centre
*The Salt Museum
*The Atalayita Archeological Interpretation Centre
=== Sculpture park ===
In addition to the museums, the capital [[Puerto del Rosario]] has an open-air sculpture park consisting of around 100 sculptures by different artists scattered across the city. Most of them were created for the International Symposium of Sculpture celebrated annually since 2001. During the festival, artists come from all over the world to erect their sculptures in the open air, in full view of passers by.
==Main sights==
Sites of interest include [[Corralejo]] and El Jable to the north which are made up of fine sand [[dunes]] whilst the south is filled with long beaches and remote bays. The constant winds blowing onto the beaches provide a paradise for [[windsurfing]]. [[Surfing]] is common on the west and north coasts where there are large waves. Windsurfing is common around Corralejo and Playas de Sotavento and wave sailing (windsurfing on the waves) on the coast along the northern half of the island. El Cotillo is a small fishing village in the north-west of the Island famous for a very long beach to the south of the village and few very calm beaches to the north. The northern beaches frequented by snorkeling enthusiasts and sun worshippers alike are referred to as lakes by the locals.
[[File:Shipwreck of the SS American Star on the shore of Fuerteventura.jpg|thumb|left|The wreck of ''[[SS American Star (1939)|American Star]]'' (SS ''America'') seen in July 2004 from land side]]
At [[Cofete]] on the western side of Jandía a remote and imposing house – [[Villa Winter]] – looks out to sea across wide beaches. It was reputedly built by a Mr Winter on land given by [[Francisco Franco|Generalisimo Franco]].
For a time, the beaches were home to a popular accidental attraction. On 18 January 1994 the [[United States Lines]] [[ocean liner]] [[SS America (1940)|SS ''American Star'']] (former ''America'', USS ''West Point'', ''Australis'') was beached in Playa de Garcey during a severe storm. Within a year, she broke in two and later lost her stern. By 2007 the rest of the severely deteriorated ship had collapsed onto her port side, gradually keeling over further and almost completely submerged. By 2008–2012, most of the remains finally slipped below the surface.
== Food ==
[[File:Fuerteventura kaeserei.jpg|thumb|right|Majorera cheese]]
The cuisine is fairly basic due to the customs and climate conditions. They share this simplicity with the other Canary islands, and similarly to them, they use a large quantity of [[fish]]. They also use whatever they can grow in the near-barren land. This includes [[Canarian wrinkly potatoes|papas arrugadas]], a dish of wrinkled potatoes usually served with [[mojo (sauce)|mojo]], which is a hot pepper sauce or with [[puchero canario]], a meat stew.
Seafood is prepared in many ways traditionally, such as pejines (salted fish),<ref>Little sun-dried salted fish roasted or burned in a dish with a little alcohol.</ref> jareas,<ref>[[Octopus]], [[gilt-head bream]] or other fish washed and placed in the sun to dry.</ref> or [[sancocho]] (a type of stew) made from fish, generally the [[grouper]],<ref>Groupers are a group of 20 genera in the subfamily Epinephelinae of perciformes. They have a robust body, with a large head resulting in globulous eyes and large mandibles.</ref> corvina or sama, boiled after salting, and served with mojo, potatoes, or [[gofio]] (a type of grain). People are also very keen on the [[mussel]]s and [[limpet]]s collected on the island's coasts.
They also use meat such as [[beef]] and [[pork]] to make different dishes or simply to for braising, but their main meat is [[goat meat|goat]], both from the kids and from the older animals. They eat the goat roasted or stewed. Goats are not only useful for their meat – the Fuerteventurans also use the [[milk]] to make the cheese [[majorero]], which has won many prizes. The majorero is mostly made of goats milk, and occasionally it is up to 15% [[Sheep|ewes]] milk. It is cured in [[pimento]] oil or gofio meal. Majorero and [[palmero cheese]] are the only two Canarian cheeses with [[Denominación de origen|protected denomination of origin]].
== Transport and communications ==
The main methods of arriving and departing the islands are by flying and by ferry.
=== Airports ===
{{Main|Fuerteventura Airport}}
The airport is the main access point to the island. It is situated in El Matorral, {{cvt|5|km}} southwest of the capital city Puerto del Rosario. The airport has flight connections to over 80 destinations worldwide, and over 5.6 million passengers passed through it in 2016. In 1994, the new airport terminal was constructed. In December 2009, the new facilities of the arrivals terminal of Fuerteventura Airport were inaugurated, tripling the space available in the old facilities. Up to 4000 passengers per hour can be served concurrently thanks to the new facilities.
Notably, [[Binter Canarias]] serves the airport as the regional airline connecting passengers across [[Canary Islands]].
=== Ports ===
Maritime communications are made from four ports: Puerto del Rosario, Corralejo, Gran Tarajal and Morro Jable. Cargo operations are the main activity of the island's main port in Puerto del Rosario, although its facilities allow the docking of tourist cruises including a ferry from Gran Canaria. Passenger traffic is mainly channeled through Corralejo, Gran Tarajal and Morro Jable. The port of Corralejo connects the island with Lanzarote. The port of Gran Tarajal connects the island with Gran Canaria and Morro Jable connects the island with Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
=== Roads ===
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}
There are two highways on the island: FV-1 and FV-2. The FV-1, together with the FV-2, is part of the major construction project of the north–south motorway on Fuerteventura.
The FV-1 begins in the north, in the town of Corralejo and ends in the island's capital Puerto del Rosario. FV-1 is part dual carriageway and part single carriageway. In the past, the FV-1 also ran through the Corralejo Dune Nature Reserve. In order to direct through traffic out of the nature reserve, the dual carriageway bypass around the nature reserve was opened in 2017 as the first section of the motorway after three years of construction, plus five years of construction delay. The road through nature reserve was renamed FV-104.
FV-2 connects Morro Jable and Puerto del Rosario. Between La Lajita and Morro Jable, FV-2 is a dual carriageway highway. Car rental companies that have offices in the airports are: Autoreisen, Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, Sixt and TopCar.
== Sport ==
Many sports are commonly played in Fuerteventura, both in the open air and in sports centres across the island.
=== Native sports ===
These are the Canarian sports found on the island:
==== Canarian wrestling ====
The wrestling takes place in a ring of sand called the ''terrero''. Inside it, the two contestants try to knock each other over. Fuerteventura has 14 terreros distributed through all the towns except Betancuria.
*Antigua: Terrero de Antigua.
*La Oliva: Terrero Venancio Guerra and Terrero de Villaverde.
*Pájara: Terrero Miguel Díaz La Lajita, Terrero de Morro Jable a Terrero de [[Pájara]].
*Puerto del Rosario: Terrero de Casillas del Angel, Terrero Manuel Nieves, Terrero de Puerto Cabras, Terrero de Tefía a Terrero de Tetir.
*Tuineje: Terrero de Gran Tarajal, Terrero de Tamasite, and Terrero Pedro Sánchez in Tarajalejo.
The island also has a school wrestling league organized by the council and a programme to promote this sport in clubs. Twelve wrestling schools participate in this, based in Antigua, Costa Calma, El Matorral, La Lajita, Lajares, Las Playitas, Morro Jable, Puerto del Rosario, Tefía, Tetir, Unión Sur and Villaverde.
==== Juego del Palo ====
[[File:Exhibición de Palo Canario en Pozo Negro Fuerteventura.jpg|thumb|An exhibition during FEDETUR 2000, in Pozo Negro ([[Antigua (Las Palmas)|Antigua]]) on 23 September 2000]]
[[Juego del Palo]] is a Canarian martial art which literally translates as "game of the stick". It is played by two players both armed with sticks. They aim to defeat each other without making contact with their opponent's body. The origin of this game is unclear. All we know is that it is based on a method of combat used by the precolonial Canarian people.
Fuerteventura has the following Palo clubs:<ref>[http://www.juegodelpalocanario.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=15 Relación de clubes federados.] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070928152028/http://www.juegodelpalocanario.org/modules/cjaycontent/index.php?id=15 |date=28 September 2007 }} Fuente: Federación del Juego del Palo Canario</ref>
*Club-Escuela Dunas de Corralejo.
*Club-Escuela Huriamen de Villaverde.
*Club-Escuela Puerto Cabras.
*Club-Escuela Sorinque de Gran Tarajal.
==== Canarian boules ====
This is a similar game to the French [[Pétanque]] which is actually played very little on the island, although there are a few teams and courts. Basically the game consists of scoring points by throwing a ball to get it as near as possible to an object called a ''mingue'' or ''boliche''. It is played on a rectangular sand or earth pitch which is {{cvt|18|to(-)|25|m|ft|1|abbr=off}} long and {{cvt|3.5|to(-)|6|m|ft|1|abbr=off}} wide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Simple Petanque Rules |url=http://www.playaboule.com/Simple_petanque_rules.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202043404/http://www.playaboule.com/Simple_petanque_rules.aspx |archive-date=Feb 2, 2017 |website=playaboule}}</ref>
=== Watersports ===
The sea and climate conditions make the island the perfect place for a huge variety of watersports.
==== Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing ====
[[File:Corralejo Fuerteventura.jpg|thumb|Windsurfing in Corralejo]]
Many types of surfing are popular on the island, including [[Surfing|traditional surfing]], [[windsurfing]] (where the board is propelled by a sail) and most recently [[kitesurfing]]. The island has many schools and courses dedicated to teaching these sports.
The sports where Fuerteventura has the most impact internationally are windsurfing and kitesurfing, mainly due to the International Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championship. This has run since 1985 and is held at Playas de Sotavento in Pájara municipality. Many important wind and kitesurfing figures compete in this championship, such as the several-times world windsurfing champion [[Björn Dunkerbeck]] and [[Gisela Pulido]], the very young kiteboarding champion from [[Tarifa]].
Many Canarian windsurfers are on the Canarian Waveriders circuit, which has been based in [[Corralejo]] since 2005.
==== Diving ====
Diving schools are just as frequent as surfing ones, all around the coast of Fuerteventura. Unlike the other islands of the archipelago, Fuerteventura has a shelf which at some points goes up to {{cvt|30|km|0|abbr=off}}, making it an ideal place to practice this sport.
Two of the most useful points for diving are the coast off [[Playa del Matorral]] in the South, and the zone between [[Lobos Island]] and Corralejo in the north. It is here in Corralejo that the International Sea and Submarine Photography Festival takes places, known as Fimarsub Corralejo – Lobos. During the festival there are beginners' lessons, professional dives, lessons in underwater photography, screenings and other events related to the sport.
==== Swimming ====
There are many swimming pools on the island but the most obvious place to swim is in the open sea. There is an annual swim from Lobos Island to Fuerteventura, held every year since 1999. The event attracts amateur swimmers from all over the Canaries and Spain, and also swimming professionals such as [[David Meca]] and [[Maarten van der Weijden]], the paralympist Jesús Collado Alarcón who won gold medals for 100m backstroke and butterfly in Athens 2004, and Xavi Torres Ramis, the paralympic champion in Barcelona 1992, Sydney and Atlanta.
==== Sailing ====
[[File:Caleta de Fustes puerto deportivo Fuerteventura.jpg|thumb|The harbour at Caleta de Fuste ([[Antigua (Las Palmas)|Antigua]])]]
The island holds competitions involving different types of boat, such as the [[lateen]] and the [[Optimist (dinghy)|Optimist]]. An interesting event is the Tour of Fuerteventura by Kayak, which is organised as a series of stages rather than a competition, and is an easy way to explore the island.
==== Fishing ====
The most notable competition here is the Gran Tarajal Fishing Open.
=== Other sports ===
Since 2004 the Marcha Ciclotourista has been held in [[La Oliva]] and the Criterium Ciclista has been held in Corralejo (also part of the La Oliva municipality) since 2005. Participants include {{UCI team code|Euskaltel}}, [[T-Mobile International AG|T-Mobile]] and a team from [[Orbea]]. These competitions have contributed to local interest in the sport and the first professional local team, the [[Fuerteventura–Canarias]], was formed, initially run by Óscar Guerrero, director of [[Kaiku]], although they have not competed for the past few seasons.
There are various [[motocross]] circuits on the island, including ''Los Alares'' in Antigua and ''Isla de Fuerteventura'' in [[Puerto del Rosario]] municipality. They hold regular trials, some of which form part of the Canarian Regional Motocross Championship. Throughout the year there are gravel rally races. Two are part of the Canarian Dirt Rally Championship. These are the Antiguan Rally and the La Oliva Rally.
The island's main [[association football|football]] clubs are [[CD Union Puerto]] and [[CD Cotillo]], who play in Group XII of the Spanish [[Tercera División RFEF]].
The resort Playitas on the south coast is since around 2008 equipped with a {{cvt|50|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=mid}} swimming pool and has become a destination for [[triathlon]] training camps for Europeans. An annual race called Challenge Fuerteventura is held there on the half ironman distance.
== People ==
[[File:Descubrimiento estatua Manuel Velázquez Cabrera.jpg|thumb|right|Inauguration of the statue by [[Emiliano Hernández]] in honour of [[Manuel Velázquez Cabrera]] on 8 November 2001]]
*[[Manuel Velázquez Cabrera]]: born in Tiscamanita in 1863, the politician and lawyer who created the island's council.
*[[Juan Ismael]]: painter, cartoonist and poet born in [[La Oliva]] in 1907, considered one of the great Canarian surrealists.
*Eustaquio Gopar: born in [[Tuineje, Las Palmas|Tuineje]] in 1866. He was one of the Spanish soldiers involved in the [[Siege of Baler]] together with Major Rafael Alonso Mederos, who died of [[beri-beri]] during the siege. On his return Eustaquio became mayor over his native people. He held this post both during the republic and under Franco.
==See also==
*[[Geology of the Canary Islands]]
*[[List of volcanoes in Spain]]
*{{portal-inline|Spain}}
*{{portal-inline|Islands}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*https://www.fuerteventura.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218032035/http://www.fuerteventura.com/ |date=18 February 2020 }}
*https://www.fuerteventura.com/history {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204041516/https://www.fuerteventura.com/history |date=4 December 2020 }}
{{Wikivoyage|Fuerteventura}}
{{commons|Fuerteventura|Fuerteventura}}
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*[http://www.visitfuerteventura.com/en/ Fuerteventura Tourism Board]
*{{Cite NIE |wstitle=Fuerteventura |year=1905 |short=x}}
*{{Cite Americana |wstitle=Fuerte Ventura |year=1920 |short=x}}
*{{cite gvp |name=Fuerteventura |vn=383050|access-date=2021-06-26}}
{{Fuerteventura}}
{{Islands and provinces of the Canary Islands}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Fuerteventura| ]]
[[Category:Islands of the Canary Islands]]
[[Category:Fissure vents]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of the Canary Islands]]
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[[Category:Extinct volcanoes of Europe]]
[[Category:Biosphere reserves of Spain]]
[[Category:Protected areas of the Canary Islands]]