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Tenerife information Tenerife facts big and small.Tenerife Information Tenerife is, indeed, on whatever facts we want to know about the island. Basic geographic Tenerife facts:Location:Tenerife is situated at 28°19 N and, 16°34 W, about 90 nautical miles from closest point Morocco on the west of the African Continent of biggest wildlife. The latitude is the same as Florida USA. 1500 km by air Tenerife to mainland Spain depending on airport locations is also a relatively short distance. Tenerife is close to the warm Atlantic golf stream which comes down from UK.
Nature of Island:Biggest Canary island out of sisterhood of 7 official isles where all are of volcanic origin born in the tertiary period. Isla Graciosa would be 8th, but is never mentioned.
Size of Tenerife:Tenerife information Tenerife on its size gives us 2040 m2 (785 square miles). After protected and, farmland only 500 square km remain to build up and for recreation. 83km long with the widest parts of about 50 km in the north which is partly separated by Teno mountain range.
Tenerife information Tenerife may include the peculiar remark of somebody who once said, that one could easily drive around the island on a bicycle if there wasn't a short connection road for it missing in the south. Island form: Climate and temperatures:Tenerife information Tenerife on it's climate must be what most people know.It's the Tenerife location which is the cause of its ideal Canary Island climate (average 17C-28C) with the Atlantic all around that fans it plus its closeness to tropic of cancer and the golf stream.
Timezone:Tenerife's time zone is the same as London's while sharing same longitude (meridian).Social aspects of largest Canary Island:Inhabitants:Facts on Tenerife information Tenerife are that a mixture of 852,945 inhabitants made up by Europeans as well as Scandinavians, South Americans, Asians and Africans was registered in 2006. The total population is estimated to reach 1 million by 2008. Language: The British community counts more than 45000 people most of which live in southern Tenerife with the town Adeje counting most of the wealthiest people on the island. There is a fairly large Indian trader community in the north of the island but, mainly in Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz. Tenerife Indians are no new comers. They all speak Spanish and/or English. Tenerife information Tenerife for folks from the UK is therefore, excellent in this respect. They will not only find real estate agents but, also, accountants and, solicitors, doctors and health services where English is spoken. Doctors:Tenerife information Tenerife for doctors who speak English or have according personal: Dr.Irina Gurvich Tamaragua Hospital for instance, was employing a multi lingual interpreter for the south, a year or so ago. Full time employment meant how serious they were about it. Some clinics also employ English speaking staff. Demands are high in this respect as I have been told by several people who work or, have worked for the health services. Perfect Spanish knowledge is always a priority. It's tough work, indeed. But it does not only help the tourist on vacation. Religion:Main religion is Roman Catholic while some others with their own churches exist. See: Taoro Park as well as Puerto de la Cruz.A lady called Pope (nickname) told me a few years ago about a Buddhist congregation leaving for Canadas del Teide every Sunday at 10 a.m. at Puerto de la Cruz bus station. I have not seen a mosk in Tenerife nor Muslims dressed according to religion.
Constitution:Autonomous with Cabilde government while democratic with socialist strong tendencies by 2008. Please, consult Tenerife information Tenerife of capital Santa Cruz.Crime rate:Low, but one cannot leave house entrance doors open and should not leave a camera or cellular phone visible in cars. Best is to never leave valuable in cars.Tenerife Information Tenerife reports that the Public Police Force 'La Guardia Civil' is relatively sharp and strict. Having to go to prison in Tenerife is also said to be no fun. To get a stolen car off the island, for instance, would be a problem. However, there is danger of Tenerife property fraud like everywhere in Spain if buying of property is taken, too lightly. Communication and energy:Tenerife information Tenerife on telephone, water and electricity supplyTelephone:Only, the company from mainland Spain called Telefonica S.A.supplies telephone for landlines.Cellular telephone suppliers are numerous. Various ADSL broad band providers exist and very few Wi Fi services are on the island. When Telefonica has a break down no ADSL connection will work which, however, happens seldom.
Water supplyInsider Tenerife information Tenerife tells the unusual fact that the largest of all Canary Islands receives its water from rains as well as from much moisture caught by the clouds in the forests by pines whose timber line starts already at 2000 -2100 meters which is not normal for a subtropical island. Source confirmed: jstor.org.
Electricity: Voltage 22 V. Find adaptars for UK gadgets at hardware stores called ferretarias. A must is to protect your IT equipment by power failure. Some wind mill electricity is generated near Reina Sofia airport. Some households may use gas as energy for sanitary and kitchen while very modern buildings seldom have this facility. Gas is being supplied by private companies. You phone them and hang a flag by your street window.
Commerce and Trade: Tenerife information Tenerife on commerce: Monetary unit: EuroSeveral banks including foreign bank like Barclays, ING and Deutsche Bank are to be found besides all Spanish Banks as well as Savings institutions called Cajas like Caja Canaria.
Trade Unions also exist in Tenerife.
Trade and business:Tenerife information Tenerife must stress the island's strong ties with mainland Spain although it is also importing much from India and other Asian countries. Almost all modern cars are available but, not assembled in Tenerife. Why? Labour in Tenerife is cheaper than in mainland Spain but, not cheap enough to compete with new upcoming markets.Interesting for business is its free port. Export:
Subsidies:Bananas and Tomatoes are subsidized.I knew somebody who had been promised a subsidy for trout farming. It would have been viable if he had found a suitable location for sale. There are no rivers or, inland lakes on the island but, several springs. Often, Canary Islands farmers receive aids from the European community in other fields because of their special status. For how long, we don't know.
Agriculture, fisheries,granaries, animals for food, wine:Tenerife has its own fish, poultry, and general country products with an abundance of subtropical fruit where however no rice is grown and few cattle is kept but, many goats for goat cheese production. Wine is cultivated around Icod de los Vinos, Los Realejos, La Orotava, Tacoronte and El Sauzal where you also find a wine museum.Everything from the humble onion to the papaya and, avocado grows on the island. The small local potato called Bonita costs often EU 6, 20/kg by year 2008 (almost 7 times the price of the cheapest potato) but, it's delicious. If it's not yellowish inside it's not a Bonita. Not all herbs are grown here, though. Why? Perhaps, some need frost. Despite so much grown in Tenerife food imported by April 2008 statistics is higher than 90% as per Henry Cicilia, president of the island's association for agriculture called ASAGA. This also means that one finds just about every European product in Tenerife. It will mean price peaks in the long run if the shopper disregards the local markets and products while international fuel and transport are rising.
Industry:
Transport:2 airports for passenger transport Los Rodeos (TFN in North) and Reina Sofia (TFS in South) while all cheap flights are done by subcontracting charter airlines with flights twice in one week many of which fly for BA or Iberia airlines when coming from UK.
Local public Titsa buses (mainly Scania buses) and trams where the latter were introduced again in 2004 with the first route from the capital to Los Rodeos airport which are about 15 km. Tenerife also has an abundance of coach buses for tourism only which are mainly operated from hotels. You can see them at times transporting only 2 tourists. A waste of diesel...
Architecture and tourism:You see modern architecture with sky scrapers in the capital and by tourist resorts from super modern, to rural, 19th/20th century styles as well as Canary style. Tenerife information Tenerife Tourism:Tourism is well organized with many British and German connections. Tenerife has its own schools for hotel and tourism in Santa Cruz and other parts of the island. Tourism information is excellent. Here are all Canary Island tourist/tourism offices listed. Also, ONLY LOCAL Calls for 'INFOTOURISM' Tel: O2088196940 Locally, Tenerife tours on land as well as by sea From Los Gigantes you can go whale watching leaving for day trips from there or, from Puerto Colon. Education:Nursery schools are private.Spanish Primary and High schools (institutos) are public.Subsidies for school text books may be applied for in special cases.
Foreign schools and university:Tenerife information Tenerife on British schools:
A German school called Colegio Aleman is in Puerto de la Cruz off Carretera Las Arenas where sign post indicates way. Main university: La Laguna by Santa Cruz. More about university in page Santa Cruz but has also a long distance university department in Los Realejos. Several institutions funded by Brussels help the unemployed gain new skills be it in languages, IT or in practical chores.There is even a European agreement for unemployment fund channeling which stretches as high as Denmark. I know because I helped some young people in all aspects with this. INEM is the name for the relevant unemployment offices on the island. Financial unemployment funds for foreigners are paid by a special Banco de Bilbao bank branch in the capital. I have documents to prove this.
Insight about main sport Tenerife soccerCD Tenerife national team a page with amazing facts.
Taxes:Tenerife information Tenerife on taxes for property:Lower than in UK for buying property as well as interesting new law Spain 2008 to avoid or cut down inheritance tax by donations. IGIC is sort of a value added tax which does not exist that low as 5% in the rest of Spain. Tax heaven
Other observations that are facts:The island's small size and a fairly large population of about 10 Million tourists per year have Tenerife exposed to pollution. Many tall sky rise hotels in and around tourist resorts don't help. Much trash is generated by a society which uses plastic packaging for almost everything. The island's shores are vulnerable. In some isolated cases, sewage that shouldn't enter the ocean finds its way there. Government is taking steps to stop it. At least, more new electric tram routes will help against traffic jams. Unnecessary building constructions must stop. Much water is gobbled up by golf courses. More electricity is needed, although one seems to have some success with windmill energy generating in the south.A building opposite where I live uses solar power. Tenerife information Tenerife on Economic interest in real estate:
Please, return from Tenerife information Tenerife to main page Tenerife where you will also see why the island is good for a holiday home.
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