Historical Events of Tenerife

3000BC –AD1500
There is archaeological evidence from skulls found suggest that the island was inhabited by Cro Magnon Man.

1100BC
It is believed that Carthaginians and Phoenicians visited the Canary Islands.

1312
Lanzarotto Malocello the Genoese explorer occupies Lazarotte and names the islands after him self.

1340
Ships from Spain and Portugal sent to investigate find the islands are inhabited by the Guanches, a people still living in the Stone Age.

1401
Jean de Bethancourt lands on Lazarote beginning the Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands.

1478
Gran Canaria is attacked by Juan Rejon, but the Guanches resist the occupation for five years.

1483
The first Governor of the Canary Islands, Pedro de Viera, is appointed.

1492
Christopher Columbus visit the Canary Islands for the first time and allegedly witnesses Mount Teide erupting.

1494
Tenerife is the last of the Canary Islands to be conquered by the Spanish.

16th and 17th Centuries
The Spanish continue to colonise the Canary Islands and a thriving economy is established by the settlers aided by the slave trade.

1657
The Royal Navy under the command of Admiral Blake destroys a Spanish treasure fleet off the coast of Tenerife in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1657.

1726
A group of 20 Canary Island families emigrated to South America and founded the city of Montevideo.

1706
Garachico, the main port of Tenerife at the time is destroyed by the Trevejo Volcano.

1797
Vice Admiral Nelson fails in an attempt to capture Tenerife at the Battle of Santa Cruz, also losing his right arm during the attempt.

1852
The Canary Islands are declared a free trade zone by Queen Isabella II.

End of 19th Century
The main export of the Canary Islands, Sugar Cane, is replaced by Bananas as the number one export.

1927
The Canary Islands are divided into two provinces with Santa Cruz de Tenerife named as the capital of the western province and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria the capital of the eastern province.

1936
The military coup which leads to the Spanish civil war is plotted in Tenerife by General Franco.

1982
Spain grants regional constitution to the Canary Islands.

1986
Special status is within the EU is granted to the Canary Islands.

2002
The Canary Islands adopt the Euro as currency.