Historical Timeline of the Canary Islands | Canarias Historia

c. 1000–500 BC

Arrival of the first Berber settlers from North Africa and development of pre-Hispanic culture across the islands.

Conquest and Colonisation

Expedition of Genoese, Majorcan and Portuguese navigators led by Niccoloso da Recco.

Beginning of the European conquest with Jean de Béthencourt's expedition to Lanzarote.

Béthencourt and Gadifer found Betancuria, the first capital of Fuerteventura.

Conquest of Fuerteventura by Jean de Béthencourt.

The Norman lords consolidate their control over Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

First European settlements in Tenerife under the Crown of Castile.

Battle of Ajuy: the majorero natives rise up against the conquerors.

First written mention of the use of Guanche slaves in Seville.

Completion of the conquest of Gran Canaria by the Crown of Castile.

Treaty of Alcáçovas: Castile obtains Portuguese recognition of its control over the Canary Islands.

Battle of Gáldar: end of the aboriginal resistance in Gran Canaria.

Christopher Columbus stops in La Gomera on his first voyage to America.

Foundation of San Sebastián de La Gomera as a strategic enclave.

Foundation of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Conquest of Tenerife and La Palma, completing the incorporation of the islands into Castile.

Foundation of Santa Cruz de Tenerife as a commercial port.

Introduction of crops such as sugar cane on the islands.

Establishment of the Royal Court of the Canary Islands to administer justice.

The Diocese of the Canary Islands is established with its seat in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

First mention of vine cultivation in the Canary Islands for commercial purposes.

The city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna becomes established as Tenerife's administrative centre.

Foundation of the Hospital of San Martín in Las Palmas, one of the first in the Canary Islands.

Creation of the first women's convent in La Laguna, Santa Catalina de Siena.

Attack on Santa Cruz de La Palma by the French corsair François Le Clerc.

Construction of the Castillo de San Cristóbal in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for coastal defence.

Foundation of the Colegio de San Agustín in La Laguna, a centre of humanist learning.

Consolidation of the Canarian wine trade with England.

Construction begins on the convent of Santo Domingo in La Laguna.

Attack by the pirate Francis Drake on the coasts of the Canary Islands.

Attack by the English privateer Walter Raleigh on the Canarian coasts.

Colonial Period

Construction of the church of San Juan Bautista in Arucas, Gran Canaria.

A plague epidemic affects Tenerife, causing thousands of deaths.

Arrival of Franciscan missionaries on the islands to strengthen evangelisation.

Partial expulsion of Black slaves in some areas of the Canary Islands.

Agricultural crisis on the islands due to droughts and declining exports.

Construction of new fortifications in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in response to pirate threats.

Foundation of the Convent of the Clarisses in La Orotava, Tenerife.

The Canary Islands suffer a locust plague that severely affects agriculture.

Volcanic eruption in La Palma in the San Antonio area.

Popular religious pilgrimages are officially authorised.

Volcanic eruption in Tenerife affecting the Fasnia area.

Volcanic eruption in Lanzarote lasting seven months.

Royal Decree of Free Trade, opening Canarian commerce with America.

19th Century

Participation of Canarians in the War of Independence against Napoleon.

Promulgation of the Constitution of Cádiz, which affected Canarian institutions.

Establishment of the British naval base in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Volcanic eruption in Tenerife in the Chahorra area.

Provincial division of Spain; the Canary Islands become a single province.

Creation of the first Botanical Garden in Tenerife.

The Canary Islands obtain free-port status.

Foundation of the Gabinete Literario of Las Palmas.

Opening of the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife as an international stopover port.

Foundation of the University of La Laguna, the first in the Canary Islands.

First mass migration movements towards Cuba and Venezuela.

20th Century

Installation of the first electric street lighting in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Foundation of the newspaper 'La Provincia' in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Creation of the Island Council of Gran Canaria.

Division into two provinces: Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Opening of Gando Airport in Gran Canaria.

Beginning of the Spanish Civil War; the Canary Islands fall under Francoist control.

Rise of Canarian emigration to Latin America.

Development of tourism as an economic engine in the Canary Islands.

Mass tourism begins to develop in southern Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Creation of Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote.

Eruption of the Teneguía volcano in La Palma.

Canary Islands Statute of Autonomy approved for the autonomous community.

The first elections to the Parliament of the Canary Islands are held.

Creation of Teide National Park in Tenerife.

The Canary Islands benefit from European structural funds for development.

Creation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Opening of the Parliament of the Canary Islands in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Declaration of the Macaronesia Biosphere Reserve.

The Canary Islands join the European Union as an outermost region.

Declaration of Caldera de Taburiente National Park in La Palma.

The Canary Islands adopt the euro as their official currency along with the rest of Spain.

21st Century

Opening of the Auditorio de Tenerife, a cultural icon of the islands.

Migration crisis marked by the mass arrival of small boats on Canarian coasts.

Opening of the Tenerife tram, improving urban mobility.

The Canary Islands feel the global economic crisis, with impacts on tourism and employment.

Garajonay National Park in La Gomera is declared a World Heritage Site.

Volcanic eruption on the island of El Hierro, the first in 50 years.

La Graciosa is declared the eighth inhabited island of the Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands receive more than 15 million tourists, consolidating their economy.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canarian economy and society.

Eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano in La Palma, causing evacuations and damage.

Start of reconstruction and recovery plans in La Palma.

La Palma advances in its reconstruction after the 2021 eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

Celebration of the centenary of the Cabildo of Tenerife with cultural events across the island.