History in Tenerife

Introduction

As with everywhere else in the world Tenerife has a history though its unique development over the thousands of years have given it the culture that is so prominent today, Its stated that it first began twenty million years ago and as time went passed there was meant to be three islands with the Anaga, Teno and Valle San Lorenzo mountain ranges, It has been a place numerous accounts of volcanic activity which was last erupted in 1909.

Tenerife has had a rollercoaster ride regarding its history and it begins back millions of years ago with volcanic eruptions becoming a regular occurance, the last set of eruptions occured in 1909 and there is an air of mystery about the civilisation that was known as the Guanches who were a strong set of people who had to defend themselves on a regular basis and were thought to have been from North African descent.

They generally seemed to keep themselves seperate from neighbouring island La Gomera and they are unfortunately now extinct due to an invasion from Spanish forces during the 15th century. It was five hundred years ago that Alonso Fernandez de Lugo arrived in the city, he was meant to remove the last of the natives but they didn't give in and put up a good fight.

They first shown their strength in the battle of Acentejo where the Guanch forces suprised the Spanish and ambushed them, this was an embarrising loss for Alonso Fernandez de Lugo and would later return better prepared. The battle of Aguere was the next stage where Lugo was much better prepared and fortified his forces where he had previously fell, the Guanches were poorly supplied in weaponry and armor and fell to the advanced ballisitics which pushed the forces back and were ultimately taken as prisoners they were led by Bencomo and Tinguarar.

They had originally ignored the offer Lugo had presented for Spain to take over, it was an approach that was taken by Bandos de Paz. In 1495 Tenerife was eventually conquered when a plague knocked them down. In 1496 San Cristobal de la Laguna was constructed and in 1723 there was a victory over the Guanches, the headquarters of the government is moved to Santa Cruz. There has also been suggestions that it is from Bereber origin.

Following all the turmoil that occured over the prior centuries Tenerife then experienced a relatively calm existance only to be interupted during the Spanish Civil War when many of the population was killed by the rule of Franco due to political beliefs. Though in modern days Tenerife is earning a living from its tourism and provides a unique experience with beautiful scenery, great weather all year round and low levels of pollution.

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