“HOW THE KNOWN WORLD HAS CHANGED THROUGHOUT HISTORY”

Ptolemy, 1482Herodotus II century: The Canary Islands were the limits of the known world (to the west).

C. Columbus, 1492. A new continent was discovered, “The Age of Discoveries” had started.

SPAIN AND THE CANARY ISLANDS

What was known about the Islands in the Ancient Age?They were identified as idyllic places, with wonderful forests and mild weather, where fruits were abundant and pain or worries didn’t exist; only happiness and good fortune. Heroes could come here and rest forever, “paradise on earth”.

Greek and Roman authors (Hesiod, Plauto, Plato, Isidore of Seville, Pomponio Mela) referred to these mountainous islands, located in the limits of the known world, in the Atlantic Ocean, as “The Elysium Fields”, “The Blessed Islands”, “Fortunate Islands”, “Hesperides Garden”, or the remains of a sunk continent, “The Atlantis”

All these classical texts are vague and it is not clear if they are really referring to the Canary Islands or other Atlantic ones. However all these descriptions of wonderful places, “paradise on earth” are still used to refer to our islands and to attract tourism, our biggest industry.

During the Ancient Age, tribes from the north and the Mediterranean settled in mainland Spain

THE CELTS ABOUT THE XII CENTURY BC. •They were farmers.•They traded with iron.

THE PHOENICIANS AND GREEKS ABOUT THE XI CENTURY BC.

•Great traders: metals, textiles,•Excellent navigators.

THE CARTHAGINIANS III CENTURY BC.

•Mining•Metals•Pottery•Improvements in farming

Who were living in the Canary Islands?

Very primitive people, from Berber origin (northern Africa) who didn’t know metals. They had cattle, especially goats.

Phoenician and Carthaginian navigators explored the coast of West Africa, looking for new products: The Carthaginian Hanno the Navigator , about 500 BC.

These navigators were looking for purple dye from a black lichen growing on the coastal cliffs, fish, spices, slaves…

At the time of the Roman Empire:centuries I-IV

Strabo, Plutarch, and specially Pliny the Elder, wrote about the plants of the islands: ”The Fortunate Islands” in his book “Naturalis Historia”

There are archaeological remains: amphorae, etc. that prove that Roman ships sailed and traded on the islands.

Middle Age (V-XIV) V-VII: The Iberian Peninsula was invaded by Visigoths from the north, “Germanic tribes: rural economy

VII-XII: Arabs from the South conquered Spain. Trade became important: olive oil, wool, silk, metals, other exotic products. (cities became more important) “zoco”, markets…

By the end of the Middle Age Genoese, French, Spanish noblemen financed

different expeditions to conquer the Canary Islands. After a century the islands became part of the Spanish kingdom, most “guanches” died.

Lanzarote was the first to be conquered in 1402 by Gadifer de la Salle and Jean de Bethencourt. Later he took Fuerteventura, La Gomera and El Hierro

The noblemen who conquered the islands got privileges such as: land, cattle, water, slaves…

The monarchs, Isabelle and Ferdinand finished the conquest of the other islands: Gran Canaria, La Palma and Tenerife, by 1496.

Christopher Columbus and the discovery of America In 1492 Isabelle of Castile was bold enough to finance Christopher Columbus’ expedition to the west.

He discovered a new continent. The Canary Islands became an

important trade route between Europe, America and Africa.

How did the islands change after the conquest?

They became a colony of Castile. Most of the “guanche” population

died or were enslaved. The land was given to the

conquerors. They cut or burned dense areas of forests and planted sugar cane, cereals, later vineyards which were sold in Europe.

Most entrepreneurs were foreigners. Slave trade was also very important.

The clergy became a powerful institution: land, donations, churches, monasteries…

Canarian harbours became very important.

Pirate attacks were abundant as there were many ships full of silver, gold and other products.

When sugar cane was more productive in America, crisis hit the islands and many people had to emigrate to America, the new “ Land of Bounty”.

How did the discovery of America affect the Canary Islands?

XVI century Right after the conquest the Spanish

conquerors cut a lot of forests and planted sugar cane. They used slaves (aborigines and people from Africa) because a lot of people were needed to produce sugar. It was then sent to Flandes, Naples and mainland Spain.

When the colonies in South America started producing sugar, it wasn’t profitable on the islands, so other products were introduced.

There were about 35.000 inhabitants living on the islands.

XVII and XVIII century During the XVII century wine yards were

planted on the islands. Wine trade with many European countries became very important, especially with Great Britain.

Then, the islands suffered another big crisis during the XVIII century.

After the British started buying wine from Madeira, other products were grown in the Canary Islands. Some of them came from America: potatoes, corn, tomatoes, etc.

Many people emigrated to America:

XIX and XX century

Some British entrepreneurs introduced banana cultivation on the islands.

They also contributed to build the harbours on the islands, as they were interested in trade with Africa.

THE ENDWE HOPE YOU LIKED IT!