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Lanzarote, situated in the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the Canary Islands, belonging to Spain and being the furthest east among them. It’s located approximately 125 kilometers off the northern coast of Africa and about 1,000 kilometers away from the Iberian Peninsula.
Encompassing an area of 845.94 square kilometers, Lanzarote holds the position of the fourth-largest island in the Canary archipelago. In terms of population, with 152,289 inhabitants at the beginning of 2019, it ranks as the third most populous Canary Island, following Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
A major highlight of the island is the Timanfaya National Park, situated in the central-western region. Recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1993, Lanzarote showcases its commitment to conservation. The island’s administrative center is Arrecife, positioned along the eastern coastline. It serves as the primary island of the Province of Las Palmas.
The island was initially named “Insula de Lanzarotus Marocelus” by Italian-Majorcan cartographer Angelino Dulcert, honoring the Genoese navigator Lancelotto Malocello, which eventually evolved into the modern name. In the native Guanche language, the island was referred to as Tyterogaka or Tytheroygaka, likely signifying “one that is all ochre,” representing the predominant color of the island.