Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park
Parque Nacional de Timanfaya
IUCN category II (national park)
Map showing the location of Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park (shaded green)

Location Lanzarote, Spain
Coordinates 29°00′N 13°44′W / 29.000°N 13.733°W / 29.000; -13.733Coordinates: 29°00′N 13°44′W / 29.000°N 13.733°W / 29.000; -13.733
Area 51.07 km2 (19.72 sq mi)
Established 1974

Timanfaya National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional de Timanfaya) is a Spanish national park in the southwestern part of the island of Lanzarote, Canary Islands. It covers parts of the municipalities Tinajo and Yaiza. The area is 51.07 square kilometres (19.72 sq mi).[1] The parkland is entirely made up of volcanic soil. The statue "El Diablo" by César Manrique is its symbol.

Volcanic activity

The greatest recorded eruptions occurred between 1730 and 1736. The volcanic activity continues as the surface temperature in the core ranges from 100 to 600 °C at the depth of 13 metres (43 ft), which is demonstrated by pouring water into the ground, resulting in a geyser of steam which is an attraction for tourists. There is only one active volcano, Timanfaya volcano which the park is named after.

Ecological value

In 1993, UNESCO designated a Biosphere reserve covering the whole of Lanzarote. The national park is one of the core areas of the biosphere reserve.

Access to the park by the public is strictly regulated to protect the delicate flora and fauna. There are one or two footpaths, and a popular short route where one can visit by camel. There is a public car park from which one can tour the volcanic landscape by coach using a road that is otherwise closed to the public.

Tourists in the park.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/18/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.