Chinijo Archipelago
The Chinijo Archipelago (pronounced [tʃiˈnixo]) is a small archipelago located in the northeastern part of the Canary Islands, north of the island of Lanzarote. The archipelago includes the islets of Montaña Clara, Alegranza, La Graciosa, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste. The archipelago is administered by Lanzarote and belongs to the municipality of Teguise. La Graciosa is the only inhabited island, with a population of around 700.
Native name: Archipiélago Chinijo | |
|---|---|
Lanzarote, La Graciosa, Montaña Clara and Alegranza from above | |
Map of Chinijo Archipelago | |
| Etymology | Small archipelago |
| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Total islands | 5 |
| Area | 40.9 km2 (15.8 sq mi) |
| Coastline | 54.435 km (33.8243 mi) |
| Administration | |
Spain | |
| Autonomous Community | Canary Islands |
| Province | Las Palmas |
| Island | Lanzarote |
| Municipality | Teguise |
| Largest settlement | Caleta de Sebo (pop. 730) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 734 (2018) |
| Languages | Spanish, specifically Canarian Spanish |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone |
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| • Summer (DST) |
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The name of the archipelago is a reference to its reduced dimensions as the word chinijo is a local colloquial adjective used to describe something small.
The archipelago is part of the natural park Parque natural del Archipiélago Chinijo, designated in 1986. The natural park, total area 91.12 km2 (35.2 sq mi), also includes part of the rocky north coast of the island Lanzarote (los riscos de Famara). The area of the natural park overlaps with that of a separately designated marine reserve. The European Union designated a Special Protection Area for birds in 1994.