Lanzarote is the most north easterly island of the seven main Canary Islands on a latitude of 29º North, the same latitude as Florida and the western Sahara, with an area of 846km².  Along with the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote is Spanish territory - part of Spain.  The region has its own autonomous government and is also divided into two Spanish Provinces.  Lanzarote is in the Province of Las Palmas (de Gran Canaria), which is made up of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.  The other Province is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which includes the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

Though just 100 kilometres from the west coast of Africa, Lanzarote is no desert island.  The unusual landscape is largely a result of volcanic eruptions in the 1730s, and today Lanzarote's Fire Mountain in the Timanfaya National Park is an attraction that shows that the volcano is not quite dead!

Most of the buildings on the island, even modern ones, are white painted and low low-rise, an architecture largely dictated by César Manrique when he was given the task of shaping Lanzarote's future as a tourist island in the 1960s and 1970s.  Even the natural caverns at Jameos del Agua have been turned by Manrique into one of the island's most intriguing sights.  ....things to do, places to see.

Weather

Monthly Averages from January 1996 to December 2009
Data from www.weatheronline.co.uk

The island enjoys an average of over 8 hours sunshine every day with average maximum air temperatures of over 24ºC all year round.  The sea temperature varies from around 17-18ºC in the winter to 23-24ºC in the summer.

Most of Lanzarote's resorts are on the south facing coast, sheltered from the predominant north easterly and north westerly trade winds.  Even so, the mild breezes experienced by most of the island can be quite welcome in Lanzarote's 29ºC mid summer temperatures.

The coolest months are December and January.  Although there is little overall rain, there can be short but heavy downpours in winter along with winter clouds.

The temperature rises from January onwards, peaking in August and September.  The sky is mostly cloud free from May to September.

Current weather, forecasts and statistics

General Information

The time zone is West European Time (WET) during the winter, which is the same as GMT and West European Summer Time (WEST) during the summer, which is GMT+1.  The switch between summer and winter times is made at the same time as the the rest of Europe, in March and October, thus the time in Lanzarote is the same as the UK, Ireland and Portugal.

Although part of Spain and the European Union, the Canary Islands have some different rules with regard to taxes and duty.  Lanzarote is "Duty Free", so goods bought on the island are treated as duty free purchases when brought into the UK, unlike goods bought in mainland Spain or other parts of Europe.

You need European passport to enter Lanzarote.

The UK Consulate is located on Gran Canaria at Las Palmas, but the consul visits Lanzarote four times a year.  You can, however, telephone on 928 26 2508 from inside Lanzarote. (+34 928 26 2508 from outside Spain).  Office hours are 8.00am to 1.30pm.  email: LAPAL-Consular@fco.gov.uk  The UK also has an Honorary Consul in Lanzarote, Susan Thain.  She is available to offer consular assistance to British Nationals, Monday to Friday (9.00-11.00), at the Hotel Iberostar Costa Calero .  The British Embassy has a website at: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/spain.

Ireland has Honorary Consuls in both Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.  The Lanzarote consul is in Arrecife, telephone: 928 815 262 from inside Lanzarote.  (+34 928 815 262 from outside Spain).  The Gran Canaria consul is in Las Palmas, telephone: 928 297 728 from Spain (+34 928 297 728 from outside Spain), email: consuladoirlanda@step.es  The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has a website at: http://www.dfa.ie.

The Spanish currency is the Euro.  Banking hours are normally 8.30 am to 2.00 pm, Monday to Friday.  There is some Saturday morning opening.  There are numerous ATMs (cash machines) on the island.

Spanish shops tend to open in the morning and early afternoon, and then close until late afternoon, opening until late evening.   This is true of most shops in Arrecife, Lanzarote's capital.  However, many shops catering for tourists stay open during the afternoon.

Electricity is 220 volts 50 Hz AC, using conventional European 2 pin plugs and sockets (large and small pin size).

GSM mobile phones operate on the island, on the 900/1800 network, the same as the UK and Ireland.

The emergency telephone number is 112.

The national language is Spanish, with a dialect similar to that of South America.

Driving: Drive on the right and take care.  Lanzarote is well known for a high rate of accidents, although there have been many major road improvements in recent years, most of which are designed to reduce the number of accidents.  If you have not hired a car from the airport, there are car rental offices in Matagorda shopping centre, as well as at various places in Puerto del Carmen.

Seatbelts are compulsory for all.  The speed limit in towns is normally 60 kmph and 90 or 100 kmph on the major roads.  The use of mobile phones when driving is forbidden, even when using a "hands free" earpiece.  Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly illegal.  Drivers should carry their driving licence and rental documents.

Taxis are fairly cheap and are strictly controlled. A taxi available for hire shows a green light on the roof, and you can flag them down or use a rank.