Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria (UK: /ˌɡræn kəˈnɛəriə, -ˈnɑːr-/, US: /ˌɡrɑːn kəˈnɑːriə, -ˈnɛər-/; Spanish pronunciation: [ɡɾaŋ kaˈnaɾja]), also Grand Canary Island, is the third-largest and second-most-populous island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago off the Atlantic coast of Northwest Africa and is part of Spain. As of 2023 the island had a population of 862,893 that constitutes approximately 40% of the population of the archipelago. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of the island, is the biggest city of the Canary Islands and the ninth of Spain.
Gran Canaria (April 2023) | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 27°58′N 15°36′W |
| Area | 1,560.11 km2 (602.36 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,956 m (6417 ft) |
| Highest point | Morro de la Agujereada |
| Spain | |
| Region | Macaronesia |
| Autonomous Community | Canary Islands |
| Province | Las Palmas |
| Largest settlement | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (pop. 380,863) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 862,893 (start of 2023) |
| Pop. density | 553.1/km2 (1432.5/sq mi) |
Gran Canaria is located in the Atlantic Ocean in a region known as Macaronesia about 150 kilometres (93 mi) off the northwestern coast of Africa and about 1,350 km (840 mi) from Europe. With an area of 1,560 km2 (600 sq mi) and an altitude of 1,956 m (6,417 ft) at Morro de la Agujereada, Gran Canaria is the third largest island of the archipelago in both area and altitude. Gran Canaria is also the third most populated island in Spain.