A helpful and interesting article for all travelers planning to visit here. I’ll tell you about the Canary Islands on map, which sea or ocean surrounds them, who their neighbors are, and to whom the Canaries belong. There will be lots of facts to help you get a complete picture of this tourist paradise.

Where the Canary Islands on map

The Canaries are an archipelago of 7 large islands formed as a result of volcanic activity. They are located 100 km northwest of Africa. You can see this clearly on the map below.

Canary Islands on map
The arrow points to the rectangle where the Canary Islands are located.

And here (photo below) is what the map of the archipelago itself looks like – 7 large islands called the Canary Islands or the Canaries. Why they are called that, and where the word “Canaries” came from, you will find out in the article about the history of the archipelago, there’s a lot of interesting information there.

where canaries located
Map of the Canary Islands. This is what the entire archipelago looks like – all the islands are very different and not alike.

For those who are interested in a more detailed look at where the Canary Islands on map, click the link, and a dynamic map will open up, allowing you to zoom in and study the islands more closely.


Which country do the Canary Islands belong to?

Looking at the world map, it’s clear that the archipelago is located off the coast of Africa. And many tourists naturally wonder, to whom do the Canaries belong. The answer is simple: the Canaries are a region of Spain.

Interesting to know:

The first Europeans (the French) captured the Canaries in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. But by the 15th century, all 7 islands of the archipelago became part of the Spanish Crown. Since then, the Canary Islands have never been separated from Spain.
where canaries
On the left is the flag of the Canaries, in the center is the flag of Spain. Even on the coat of arms of the Canary Islands, the Spanish crown is depicted. For almost its entire history, starting from the discovery of the islands by Europeans, the Canaries have always been a part of Spain.
  • Today, the archipelago has the status of a special economic zone of Spain. There are huge tax incentives for businesses compared to mainland Spain. As a result, many prices for goods and services are not higher, and sometimes even lower, than in mainland Europe, despite the fact that logistics here are more difficult and expensive than in the rest of Europe. Read more about this in the article: prices in the Canary Islands.

Interesting Facts about the Canaries: Neighbors, Ocean, Climate, Islands, Geographic Latitude

And now, a few interesting and important facts about the Canaries, related to the geographical position of the archipelago on the world map. Where additional explanations are needed, there will be links to overview articles, and you will find all the necessary information and lots of useful information for traveling.

  • The Canary Islands are completely surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s not a sea, gulf, or strait, it’s a real ocean. This is where you will feel its strength and power. Moreover, the Atlantic is known for its cold waters, strong winds, and waves. Read all about the ocean in the Canaries, water temperature by month, resorts, and whale watching tours in the article linked.
  • The Canaries are the southernmost region of Europe. Warm winter and the most comfortable climate. But the proximity to Africa and such a southern location on the map give not only advantages. In the article “weather in the Canaries,” you will learn about the high season and when it’s best to vacation here. There’s a lot of important information, especially for those with respiratory problems; you’ll learn about “calima” and more.
canaries spain or portugal
I took this photo in February at the southernmost part of Tenerife, the resort of Los Cristianos, where there’s a full-fledged beach vacation even in winter. There are no such places in Europe except the Canaries.
  • If you looked at the map that was at the beginning of the article, you can see that the Canary Islands have no land borders. There’s also no common maritime border with any country.
    • From the mainland Europe to the Canaries – 1100 km
    • The nearest country to the archipelago – Morocco – is 100 km away.
  • The coordinates of one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands (yes, there are two capitals) are 28 degrees north latitude. The southernmost regions of mainland Europe, including southern Greece, southern Spain with Gibraltar, are at 36 degrees north latitude. The Canaries are closer to the equator by 8 degrees.

Where are the Canary Islands on map: List of Islands

As mentioned earlier, this is an archipelago with around 20 islands, but the main ones are 7 (below is a list by size, from largest to smallest). There are two capitals in the archipelago, which change every 4 years:

  • Tenerife (capital)
  • Fuerteventura
  • Gran Canaria (capital)
  • Lanzarote
  • La Palma
  • La Gomera
  • El Hierro

It’s important to note:

All these islands are very different and unique. Some have mountains with volcanic craters covered in greenery, while others boast Martian-like landscapes with no trees in sight. Read the article: where is the best place to stay in the Canaries, where you’ll find a lot of useful information and overviews of each island. The article will help you determine which island is best suited for your vacation.
canaries belong to
Mirador Del Rio on the island of Lanzarote. Unlike the greenery of La Palma and La Gomera, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura resemble Martian landscapes more.

In conclusion: I hope you now know about Canary Islands on map and understand that they are part of Spain and part of Europe. However, when you look at the map, it may seem like Africa, but no – it’s Europe, part of the European Union and the Schengen area with all the implications. The African influence is limited to some desert areas, and even those are not everywhere; you need to know the specific locations.

Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:

  • Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.

  • Accommodation:
    • Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.

    • or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.

  • Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.

  • eSIM and internet: Airalo.

  • Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.

  • Travel Insurance: EKTA.